Control device, input device, control system, handheld device, and control method

ABSTRACT

A control device includes: a receiver for receiving first information regarding the movement of a casing, and second information regarding whether to reflect the first information on the movement of coordinate values; a storage unit for storing a whole-screen region including a real-screen region, and a virtual-screen region set around the real-screen region; a generator for generating the coordinate values within the whole-screen region based on the first information; a switcher for switching a first state in which the coordinate values are movable, and a second state in which the coordinate values are immovable, based on the second information; a determining unit for determining which of the real-screen region or the virtual-screen region the coordinate values belong to; and a coordinate-value control unit for controlling the coordinate values so as to move the coordinate values within the virtual-screen region to the position of predetermined coordinate values within the real-screen region.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a control device, an input device, acontrol system, a handheld device, and a control method, which controlthe coordinate values of a pointer.

2. Description of the Related Art

Input devices such as a mouse, a touch pad, and the like have beenprincipally employed as controllers for GUI (Graphical User Interface)which is commonplace with PCs (Personal Computers). GUI has not stayedat the HI (Human Interface) of PCs according to the related art, and hasbeen used, for example, as interfaces of AV equipment or game machinesused in the living room or the like with a television set as an imagemedium. Various types of input devices serving as spatial operationtypes which a user can operate in 3D space have been proposed as such aGUI controller (e.g., see Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2001-56743 (paragraphs [0030] and [0045], FIG. 2), andInternational Publication No. 2009/020204 (paragraphs [0145] through[0152], [0194] through [0199], FIG. 7)).

The input device described in Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2001-56743 (paragraphs and [0045], FIG. 2) detects theangular velocity of the input device by an angular velocity sensor,generates the displacement information of a cursor according to theangular velocity thereof, and transmits this to a control device. Thecontrol device moves the cursor on a screen according to thedisplacement information transmitted from the input device.

With the input device described in Japanese Unexamined PatentApplication Publication No. 2001-56743 (paragraphs and [0045], FIG. 2),an arrangement is made wherein the displacement information of thecursor is transmitted all the time, and accordingly, the cursor mayperform movement that the user does not intend. For example, afterfinishing use of the input device, when the user attempts to put theinput device on a table, the cursor is moved on the screen despite theuser's intentions along with the movement of the input device.

As for a technique relating to such a problem, with InternationalPublication No. 2009/020204 (paragraphs through [0152], [0194] through[0199], FIG. 7), an input device including two-step operating typeoperating buttons having a move button, a determine button, and asurface button whereby the move button and the determine button canconsecutively be pressed, is described. With this input device, in astate in which the surface button is not pressed by the user, a pointeris not moved on the screen. In the event of the surface button beinghalf-pressed by the user, the move button at the first step is pressed,and the movement of the pointer is started on the screen. In the eventof the surface button further being pressed by the user, the determinebutton at the second step is pressed, and predetermined processing isexecuted on the screen. Subsequently, when releasing the finger from thesurface button, pressing of the move button is released, the movement ofthe pointer on the screen is stopped. The user can arbitrarily controlstarting and stopping of the movement of the pointer, and accordingly,the user's unintentional movement of the pointer is restricted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Incidentally, such an input device as described in Japanese UnexaminedPatent Application Publication No. 2001-56743 (paragraphs [0030] and[0045], FIG. 2), and International Publication No. 2009/020204(paragraphs through [0152], [0194] through [0199], FIG. 7) is a relativedevice having relative relationship between the direction indicated bythe input device and the display position of the pointer. In the case ofthe user operating the pointer using such an input device, the directionindicated by the input device and the display position of the pointermay not completely agree, giving the user an unnatural feeling.

For example, in the case that a menu shape is displayed on the edgeportion of the screen, when the user is pointing within the range of themenu shape, the pointer moves to the edge portion of the screen, andthough the pointer does not move any more, the user continuouslyattempts to move the input device. Therefore, mismatch between thedisplay position of the pointer and the relative position of the inputdevice occurs at the edge portion of the screen, giving the user anunnatural feeling.

In order to solve such a problem, for example, it can be conceived as aneffective tool to set a virtual screen region around the real screenregion. Thus, the operating range of the pointer by the input device canbe prevented from being restricted to the narrow real screen region.Thus, it can be conceived to prevent mismatch between the displayposition of the pointer and the relative position of the input devicefrom occurring at the edge portion of the real screen region.

Now, let us assume a combination of a mode wherein a virtual screenregion is set around the real screen region, and a mode wherein, such asdescribed in International Publication No. 2009/020204 (paragraphs[0145] through [0152], [0194] through [0199], FIG. 7), the move buttonis provided to the input device.

In this case, let us say that in the event that a virtual pointer (avirtual pointer conceptually determined to exist within the virtualscreen region) is being operated within the virtual screen region, theuser releases pressing of the move button. Thus, the movement of thevirtual pointer is stopped within the virtual screen region.

However, the user is prevented from visually recognizing the virtualpointer within the virtual screen region. In the case that the virtualpointer exists within the virtual screen region, for example, in theevent of a mode wherein a real pointer (pointer to be actuallydisplayed) is displayed on the edge portion on the screen, the userinstinctively attempts to restart the movement of the pointer bypointing the real pointer on the screen that can visually be recognizedusing the input device, and repressing the move button.

However, in this case, the substantial coordinate values of the pointerexist on the position of the virtual pointer within the virtual screenregion but not the position of the displayed real pointer. Thus, aproblem occurs wherein mismatch is caused between the display positionof the pointer, and the relative position between that position and thepointing direction of the input device.

It has been found desirable to provide a technique such as a controldevice or the like whereby mismatch between the display position of thepointer, and the relative position between that position and thepointing direction of the input device, can be prevented from occurring.

A control device according to an embodiment of the present invention isa control device which controls, based on first information relating tothe movement of a casing, and second information relating to whether toreflect the movement of the casing on the movement of coordinatesvalues, which are transmitted from an input unit, the coordinate values,and includes a reception unit, a storage unit, generating unit,switching unit, determining unit, and coordinate-value control unit.

The reception unit configured to receive the first information and thesecond information. The storage unit configured to store the wholescreen region including a real screen region equivalent to a realscreen, and a virtual screen region that is a virtual region set in thecircumference of the real screen region. The generating unit isconfigured to generate the coordinate values within the whole screenregion based on the first information. The switching unit is configuredto switch a first state in which the coordinate values are movable, anda second state in which the coordinate values are immovable, based onthe second information. The determining unit is configured to determinewhich of the real screen region or the virtual screen region thecoordinate values belong to. The coordinate-value control unit isconfigured to control, in the case that the coordinate values belong tothe virtual screen region, and also the first state and the second stateare switched, the coordinate values so as to move the coordinate valueswithin the virtual screen region to the position of predeterminedcoordinate values within the real screen region.

“Virtual image region” may be set to all portions around the real screenregion, or may be set to a portion around the real screen region.

“The case that the first state and the second state are switched”includes both of a case where the first state (the state in which thecoordinate values are movable) is switched to the second state (thestate in which the coordinate values are immovable), and a case wherethe second state is switched to the first state.

With the present invention, in the case that the coordinate valuesbelong to the virtual screen region, and in the event that the movablestate and the immovable state of the coordinate values is switched, thecoordinate values within the virtual region may be moved to apredetermined position within the real screen region. Thus, for example,in the case that pressing of the move button is released by the user,and the coordinate values of the pointer are stopped within the virtualregion, the coordinate values thereof may be moved to the positions ofthe coordinate values within the real screen region. Typically, in thecase that the coordinate values exist within the real screen region, thepointer is displayed on the position thereof.

In the case that the user intends to start the movement of the pointeragain, and points the pointer displayed within the real screen regionusing the input device, the substantial position according to thecoordinate values of the pointer, and the relative position between thatposition and the pointing direction of the input device are matched.Thus, when the user presses the move button again to start the movementof the pointer again, mismatch between the display position of thepointer, and the relative position between that position and theposition of the input device can be prevented from occurring.

The control device may further include display control unit. The displaycontrol unit controls, in the case that the coordinate values belong tothe real screen region, the display of the real screen so as to displaythe pointer on the position according to the coordinate values withinthe real screen region. Also, the display control unit controls, in thecase that the coordinate values belong to the virtual screen region, thedisplay of the real screen so as to display the pointer on a position onthe edge portion of the real screen region according to the coordinatevalues within the virtual screen region.

With the present invention, in the case that the coordinate valuesbelong to the virtual screen region, the pointer is displayed on theedge portion of the real screen region. Thus, for example, in the casethat an icon or the like is displayed near the edge portion of the realscreen region, operations of the displayed icon or the like arefacilitated.

With the control device, the coordinate-value control unit may controlthe coordinate values so as to move the coordinate values within thevirtual screen region to a position where the pointer within the realscreen region is displayed. Alternatively, the coordinate-value controlunit may control the coordinate values so as to move the coordinatevalues within the virtual screen region to the center of the real screenregion.

With the control device, the display control unit may control, in thecase that the coordinate values belong to the virtual screen region, thedisplay so as to display the pointer on an intersection of the edgeportion of the real screen region, and a straight line connecting thecenter of the real screen region, and the coordinate values.

With the control device, the display control unit may change the displaymode of the pointer displayed on the edge portion of the real screenregion according to the movement of the coordinate values within thevirtual screen region.

Thus, the user can readily recognize that the coordinate values of thepointer exist within the virtual screen region, and which positionwithin the virtual screen region the coordinate values are positioned.

“Change in the display mode of the pointer” includes the rotation of thepointer, change in the degree of deformation, change in rotation speed,change in size, change in color, change in color density, change inblinking speed, change due to animation expressions, and the like.

With the control device, the display control unit may change the displaymode of the pointer so that the pointer displayed on the edge portion ofthe real screen region indicates the direction of the coordinate valueswithin the virtual screen region.

Thus, the user can readily recognize the direction of the coordinatevalues of the pointer within the virtual screen region.

With the control device, the display control unit may change the displaymode of the pointer according to distance between the coordinate valueswithin the virtual screen region, and the pointer displayed on the edgeportion of the real screen region.

Thus, the user can readily recognize the distance between the pointerdisplayed on the edge portion of the real screen region, and thecoordinate values of the pointer within the virtual screen region.

With the control device, the reception unit may receive a determinationcommand transmitted from the input device. In this case, thecoordinate-value control unit may control, when the coordinate valuesbelong to the virtual screen region, and also the determination commandis received, the coordinate values so as to move the coordinate valueswithin the virtual screen region to the position of predeterminedcoordinate values within the real screen region.

With the control device, in the case of further including displaycontrol unit, the display control unit may display, in the case that thecoordinate values belong to the virtual screen region, a small screenincluding an indication object indicating the positions of thecoordinate values as to the whole screen region, and indicating thewhole screen region, on a predetermined within the real screen region.

Thus, the user can readily visually recognize the positions of thecoordinate values of the pointer within the virtual screen region.

With the control device, the storage unit may store a selectionoperating object serving as the selection operating object of the inputdevice as a selection operating region by being correlated with aportion or the whole of the virtual screen region. In this case, thecontrol device may further include a processing unit configured toexecute, in the case that the coordinate values belong to the selectionoperating region, processing corresponding to the selection operatingobject.

Thus, the user can operate the selection operating object with a senseof operating the selection operating region within the virtual screenregion.

Examples of “selection operating object” include channel selection of abroadcast program or the like, selection of playback or stop of a movingimage, selection of fast forward or fast rewind, frame forward or framerewind of still images, and the like, which is an object that can becomevarious selection items.

“Selection operating region” may be correlated with not only the virtualscreen region but also the real screen region.

A control device according to another embodiment of the presentinvention is a control device configured to control coordinate valuesbased on information relating to the movement of a casing that istransmitted from an input device including a selecting unit configuredto select a first state for reflecting the movement of the casing on themovement of the coordinate values, and a second state for not reflectingthereon, a transmission unit configured to transmit the information, anda transmission control unit configured to control transmission of theinformation so as to move the coordinate values in the first state, andso as not to move the coordinate values in the second state, and thecontrol device includes a reception unit, a storage unit, generatingunit, determining unit, and coordinate-value control unit.

The reception unit configured to receive the information. The storageunit configured to store the whole screen region including a real screenregion equivalent to a real screen, and a virtual screen region that isa virtual region set in the circumference of the real screen region. Thegenerating unit is configured to generate the coordinate values withinthe whole screen region based on the information. The determining unitis configured to determine which of the real screen region or thevirtual screen region the coordinate values belong to. Thecoordinate-value control unit is configured to control, in the case thatthe coordinate values belong to the virtual screen region, and also thefirst state and the second state are switched, the coordinate values soas to move the coordinate values within the virtual screen region to theposition of predetermined coordinate values within the real screenregion.

An input device according to an embodiment of the present inventionincludes a casing, a detecting unit, a selecting unit, a storage unit,generating unit, generation control unit, determining unit, andcoordinate-value control unit.

The detecting unit configured to detect the movement of the casing. Theselecting unit configured to select a first state for reflecting themovement of the casing on the movement of coordinate values, and asecond state for not reflecting thereon. The storage unit configured tostore the whole screen region including a real screen region equivalentto a real screen, and a virtual screen region that is a virtual regionset in the circumference of the real screen region. The generating unitis configured to generate the coordinate values within the whole screenregion based on the movement of the casing. The generation control unitis configured to control generation of the coordinate values so as tomove the coordinate values in the first state, and so as not to move thecoordinate values in the second state. The determining unit configuredto determine which of the real screen region or the virtual screenregion the coordinate values belong to. The coordinate-value controlunit is configured to control, in the case that the coordinate valuesbelong to the virtual screen region, and also the first state and thesecond state are switched, the coordinate values so as to move thecoordinate values within the virtual screen region to the position ofpredetermined coordinate values within the real screen region.

A control system according to an embodiment of the present inventionincludes an input device, and a control device.

The input device includes a casing, a detecting unit, a selecting unit,and a transmission unit.

The detecting unit configured to detect the movement of the casing. Theselecting unit configured to select whether to reflect the movement ofthe casing on the movement of coordinate values. The transmission unitconfigured to transmit first information relating to the movement of thecasing, and second information relating to whether to reflect themovement of the casing on the movement of the coordinates.

The control device includes a reception unit, a storage unit, generatingunit, switching unit, determining unit, and coordinate-value controlunit.

The reception unit configured to receive the first information and thesecond information. The storage unit configured to store the wholescreen region including a real screen region equivalent to a realscreen, and a virtual screen region that is a virtual region set in thecircumference of the real screen region. The generating unit isconfigured to generate the coordinate values within the whole screenregion based on the first information. The switching unit is configuredto switch a first state in which the coordinate values are movable, anda second state in which the coordinate values are immovable, based onthe second information. The determining unit is configured to determinewhich of the real screen region or the virtual screen region thecoordinate values belong to. The coordinate-value control unit isconfigured to control, in the case that the coordinate values belong tothe virtual screen region, and also the first state and the second stateare switched, the coordinate values so as to move the coordinate valueswithin the virtual screen region to the position of predeterminedcoordinate values within the real screen region.

A control system according to another embodiment of the presentinvention includes an input device, and a control device.

The input device includes a casing, a detecting unit, a selecting unit,a transmission unit, and transmission control unit.

The detecting unit configured to detect the movement of the casing. Theselecting unit configured to select a first state for reflecting themovement of the casing on the movement of coordinate values, and asecond state for not reflecting thereon. The transmission unitconfigured to transmit information relating to the movement of thecasing. The transmission control unit is configured to controltransmission of the information so as to move the coordinate values inthe first state, and so as not to move the coordinate values in thesecond state.

The control device includes a reception unit, a storage unit, generatingunit, determining unit, and coordinate-value control unit.

The reception unit configured to receive the information. The storageunit configured to store the whole screen region including a real screenregion equivalent to a real screen, and a virtual screen region that isa virtual region set in the circumference of the real screen region. Thegenerating unit is configured to generate the coordinate values withinthe whole screen region based on the information. The determining unitis configured to determine which of the real screen region or thevirtual screen region the coordinate values belong to. Thecoordinate-value control unit is configured to control, in the case thatthe coordinate values belong to the virtual screen region, and also thefirst state and the second state are switched, the coordinate values soas to move the coordinate values within the virtual screen region to theposition of predetermined coordinate values within the real screenregion.

A handheld device according to an embodiment of the present inventionincludes a casing, a display unit, a detecting unit, a selecting unit, astorage unit, generating unit, generation control unit, determiningunit, and coordinate-value control unit.

The display unit is provided to the casing. The detecting unitconfigured to detect the movement of the casing. The selecting unitconfigured to select a first state for reflecting the movement of thecasing on the movement of coordinate values, and a second state for notreflecting the movement of the casing on the movement of the coordinatevalues. The storage unit configured to store the whole screen regionincluding a real screen region equivalent to a real screen to bedisplayed on the display unit, and a virtual screen region that is avirtual region set in the circumference of the real screen region. Thegenerating unit is configured to generate the coordinate values withinthe whole screen region based on the movement of the casing. Thegeneration control unit is configured to control generation of thecoordinate values so as to move the coordinate values in the firststate, and so as not to move the coordinate value in the second state.The determining unit is configured to determine which of the real screenregion or the virtual screen region the coordinate values belong to. Thecoordinate-value control unit is configured to control, in the case thatthe coordinate values belong to the virtual screen region, and also thefirst state and the second state are switched, the coordinate values soas to move the coordinate values within the virtual screen region to theposition of predetermined coordinate values within the real screenregion.

A control method according to an embodiment of the present inventionincludes storing the whole screen region including a real screen regionequivalent to a real screen, and a virtual screen region that is avirtual region set in the circumference of the real screen region.

Coordinate values within the whole screen region are generated based onthe movement of a casing. A first state in which the coordinate valuesare movable and a second state in which the coordinate values areimmovable are switched. Determination is made regarding which of thereal screen region or the virtual screen region the coordinate valuesbelong to. In the case that the coordinate values belong to the virtualscreen region, and also the first state and the second state areswitched, the coordinate values are controlled so as to move thecoordinate values within the virtual screen region to the position ofpredetermined coordinate values within the real screen region.

With the above description, components described as units may berealized by hardware, or may be realized by both software and hardware.In the case of a component being realized by both software and hardware,hardware thereof includes at least a storage device which stores asoftware program.

The hardware is typically configured by selectively employing at leastone of CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), RAM(Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), DSP (Digital SignalProcessor), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), ASIC (ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuit), NIC (Network Interface Card), WNIC(Wireless NIC), modem, optical disc, magnetic disk, and flash memory.

As described above, according to the present invention, there can beprovided a technique such as a control device or the like wherebymismatch between the display position of the pointer, and the relativeposition between that position and the pointing direction of the inputdevice can be prevented from occurring when a user switches starting andstopping of the movement of the pointer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a control system according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen to be displayedon a display device;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an input device;

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating the internalconfiguration of the input device;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the electric configuration of theinput device;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a sensor unit;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams for describing how to operate the inputdevice, and a typical example of the movement of a pointer due to this;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the whole screen region to be stored ina control device;

FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing operation when the coordinate valuesof the pointer within the whole screen region are generated according tothe movement of the input device;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing of thecontrol system in the case of switching the movable state and theimmovable state of the pointer;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of processing of thecontrol system in the case of switching the movable state and theimmovable state of the pointer;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a control deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a determining methodregarding whether or not first coordinate values are coordinate valueswithin a virtual screen region;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a generating method ofsecond coordinate values to be generated based on the first coordinatevalues;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the movements of avirtual pointer and a real pointer in the case of the processing shownin FIG. 14 is executed;

FIG. 16 is a diagram for describing a series of flow regarding themovements of the virtual pointer and the real pointer in the case of theprocessing shown in FIG. 12 is executed;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a control deviceaccording to another embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of the movements of thevirtual pointer and the real pointer in the case the processing shown inFIG. 17 is executed;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a control deviceaccording to yet another embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of the movements of thevirtual pointer and the real pointer in the case the processing shown inFIG. 19 is executed;

FIG. 21 is a diagram for describing an example in the case that thedirection of the real pointer is changed according to the position ofthe virtual pointer in the event that the virtual pointer is positionedin a corner region;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a control deviceaccording to yet another embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of the movements of thevirtual pointer and the real pointer in the case the processing shown inFIG. 22 is executed;

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating the real pointer displayed within areal image region by a control device according to yet anotherembodiment;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a control deviceaccording to yet another embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of the movements of thevirtual pointer and the real pointer in the case the processing shown inFIG. 25 is executed;

FIGS. 27A and 27B are diagrams illustrating a modification of yetanother embodiment;

FIGS. 28A through 28C are diagrams illustrating a modification of yetanother embodiment;

FIGS. 29A and 29B are diagrams illustrating an example in the case thatthe shape of the real pointer is changed according to distance betweenthe real pointer and the virtual pointer in the event that the centercoordinates (origin (0, 0)) of the real screen region are taken as areference;

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an indicator to be displayed withinthe real screen region in the case that the virtual pointer existswithin the virtual screen region;

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a small screen displayed within thereal screen region;

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a selection operating region that acontrol device according to yet another embodiment stores in a mannercorrelated with the virtual screen region;

FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a control deviceaccording to yet another embodiment;

FIG. 34 is a diagram for describing another embodiment in the case thatswitching speed is variable;

FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating the whole screen region in the casethat a moving image is set to the selection operating region; and

FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating a selection operating region that acontrol device according to yet another embodiment stores.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below withreference to the drawings.

First Embodiment Overall Configuration of Control System andConfiguration of Each Unit

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a control system according to a firstembodiment of the present invention. A control system 100 includes adisplay device 5, a control device 40, and an input device 1. FIG. 2 isa diagram illustrating an example of a screen 3 to be displayed on thedisplay device 5. GUI such as a pointer 2, icons 4, and the like aredisplayed on the screen 3. The pointer 2 has, for example, the shape offeathers on an arrow. However, the shape of the pointer 2 is notrestricted to this, and for example may be a simple circle or apolygonal shape or the like. The shape of the pointer 2 is notparticularly restricted.

The icons 4 are images obtained by the content of a program function, anexecution command, or a file on a computer being imaged on the screen 3.

The display device 5 is configured of, for example, a liquid crystaldisplay, an EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like. The displaydevice 5 may be a device integrated with a display capable of receivinga television broadcast or the like, or may be a device in which such adisplay and the control device 40 are integrated.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the input device 1. As shownin FIG. 3, the input device 1 includes a casing 10, and an operatingportion 9 having various buttons 11 through 14 disposed on the upperportion of the casing 10. The casing 10 has a long shape in onedirection, and has a size so as to be fit into the user's grasped hand.

The operating portion 9 includes a button disposed on the tip portionside of the upper portion of the casing 10, a button 12 disposed nearthe center of the upper portion of the casing 10, and buttons 13 and 14disposed between the buttons 11 and 12.

The button 11 is an operating portion capable of two-step switching. Thebutton 11 includes an optical sensor 8, and this optical sensor 8 servesas a switch at the first step. Also, the button 11 houses a switch 23(see FIG. 4) for detecting that the button 11 is pressed, and thisswitch 23 a serves as a switch at the second step.

A function serving as a movement control button, i.e., a function forthe user arbitrarily controlling the movement of the pointer 2 isassigned to the switch at the first step (optical sensor 8) of thebutton 11. Also, a function serving as a determine button (e.g., afunction equivalent to the left button of a planar operation type mouse)is assigned to the switch at the second step (switch 23 a) of the button11.

The optical sensor 8 is a reflective-type optical sensor, and includes,for example, a light-emitting element 6 made up of an LED (LightEmitting Diode) or the like, and a light-receiving element 7 made up ofa photo transistor or the like. According to this optical sensor 8,whether or not there is the user's finger (e.g., thumb) above the button11 is detected.

In the case that there is the user's finger above the button 11, lightemitted from the light emitting element 6 is reflected at the user'sfinger, input to the light-receiving element 7, and a light-receivingsignal is output from the light-emitting element 7. The control system100 switches a state in which the pointer 2 is movable, and a state inwhich the pointer 2 is immovable based on this light receiving signal.

Now, there are two modes of a mode wherein the pointer 2 is movable onthe screen 3 in the case that there is the user's finger above thebutton 11, and a mode wherein the pointer 2 is movable on the screen 3in the case that there is no user's finger above the button 11. Thecontrol system 100 does not care either mode, but with the presentembodiment, for convenience of description, description will be madeassuming a mode wherein the pointer 2 is movable on the screen 3 in thecase that there is the user's finger above the button 11.

In FIG. 3, though drawing is omitted, a condenser lens member forcondensing light emitted from the optical sensor 8, and light reflectedat the user's finger is disposed above the optical sensor 8. Thecondenser lens member is made up of an optically-transparent resin, forexample, such as polycarbonate, acrylic resin, or the like, but is notrestricted to these. The upper surface of the condenser lens member isformed integrally with the upper surface of the button 11.

Note that the switch at the first step is not restricted to the opticalsensor 8, and accordingly, another sensor such as an electrostaticcapacity sensor or the like may be used.

A function equivalent to the right button of a mouse is assigned to thebutton 12 provided near the center of the casing 10. Also, functionssuch as increase/decrease of volume, fast forward/fast rewind of amoving image to be displayed on the screen 3, up/down of the channelsuch as a broadcast program or the like, or the like are assigned to thebuttons 13 and 14. Note that the layout and assigned functions of thebuttons 11 through 14 may be changed as appropriate.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating the internalconfiguration of the input device 1. FIG. 5 is a block diagramillustrating the electric configuration of the input device 1. The inputdevice 1 includes a sensor unit 17, a control unit 30, and a battery 24.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the sensor unit 17. Note that,within the present Specification, a coordinate system moving along withthe input device 1, i.e., the coordinate system fixed to the inputdevice 1 is represented with X′ axis, Y′ axis, and Z′ axis. On the otherhand, a coordinate system which stays still on the earth, i.e., aninertial coordinate system, is represented with X axis, Y axis, and Zaxis. Also, with the following description, regarding the movement ofthe input device 1, the rotational direction of the circumference of theX′ axis will be referred to “pitch direction”, the rotational directionof the circumference of the Y′ axis will be referred to “yaw direction”,and the rotational direction of the circumference of the Z′ axis (rollaxis) will be referred to “roll direction”,

The sensor unit 17 includes an angular velocity sensor unit 15 fordetecting mutually different angles, e.g., the angular velocity of thecircumference of the orthogonal two axes (X′ axis and Y′ axis). That isto say, the angular velocity sensor unit 15 includes two sensors of afirst angular velocity sensor 151, and a second angular velocity sensor152.

Also, the sensor unit 17 includes an acceleration sensor unit 16 fordetecting acceleration along mutually orthogonal two axes. That is tosay, the acceleration sensor unit 16 includes two sensors of a firstacceleration sensor 161, and a second acceleration sensor 162.

The angular velocity sensor unit 15 and acceleration sensor unit 16 arepackaged and mounted on a circuit substrate 25.

FIG. 6 illustrates a case where the angular velocity sensor unit 15 andthe acceleration sensor unit 16 are mounted on either end surface (frontsurface) of the circuit substrate 25. However, a mounting method is notrestricted to this, the angular velocity sensor unit 15 and theacceleration sensor unit 16 may be mounted separately on both surfacesof the circuit substrate, respectively. In this case, the size of thecircuit substrate 25 can be reduced, and as a result thereof, therigidity of the circuit substrate 25 can be enhanced.

As for the angular velocity sensor 151 and 152, an oscillation gyrosensor for detecting Coriolis force proportional to angular velocity isemployed. As for the acceleration sensors 161 and 162, any type ofsensor may be employed, such as a piezoresistance type, apiezo-electricity type, a capacity type, or the like. The angularvelocity sensors 151 and 152 are not restricted to an oscillation gyrosensor, and accordingly, a rotation coma gyro sensor, a laser ring gyrosensor, a gas rate gyro sensor, or an earth magnetism type gyro sensormay be employed.

As shown in FIG. 4, let us say that the longitudinal direction, widthdirection, and thickness direction of the casing 10 are the Z′-axisdirection, X′-axis direction, and Y′-axis direction, respectively. Inthis case, the sensor unit 17 is housed in the casing 10 so that thesurface where the acceleration sensor unit 16 and the angular velocitysensor unit 15 are mounted, of the circuit substrate 25 is substantiallyparallel to an X′-Y′ plane. Thus, both sensor units 15 and 16 detect,such as described above, angular velocity and acceleration regarding theX′ axis and the Y′ axis, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the control unit 30 includes a main substrate18, an MPU 19 (Micro Processing Unit) mounted on the main substrate 18(or CPU), a crystal oscillator 20, a transceiver 21, and an antenna 22printed on the main substrate 18. Also, the control unit 30 includesswitches 23 a through 23 d provided so as to correspond to the buttons11 through 14 respectively, on the main substrate 18.

The main substrate 18 and the circuit substrate 25 are electricallyconnected by a flexible lead wire 26 made up of, for example, a FFC(Flexible Flat Cable) or the like. Also, the main substrate 18 and theoptical sensor 8 are electrically connected by a flexible substrate 27made up of, for example, a FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit).

The MPU 19 houses volatile and nonvolatile memory. The MPU 19 inputs thedetection signal from the sensor unit 17, the operation signal from theoperating portion (including the light-receiving signal from the opticalsensor 8), and the like, and in order to generate a predeterminedcontrol signal according to these input signals, executes various typesof computation processing and the like. The above memory may be providedseparately from the MPU 19.

Typically, the sensor unit 17 outputs analog signals. In this case, theMPU 19 includes an A/D (Analog/Digital) converter. However, the sensorunit 17 may be a unit including an A/D converter.

The transceiver 21 transmits the control signal generated at the MPU 19to the control device 40 via the antenna 22 as a RF wireless signal.Also, the transceiver 21 may receive various types of signal transmittedfrom the control device 40.

The crystal oscillator 20 generates clocks, and supplies this to the MPU19. A dry cell or a rechargeable battery or the like is used as thebattery 24.

As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 40 includes an MPU 35 (or CPU),RAM 36, ROM 37, video RAM 41, a display control unit 42, an antenna 39,and a transceiver 38.

The transceiver 38 receives the control signal transmitted form theinput device 1 via the antenna 39. Also, the transceiver 38 may transmitpredetermined various signals to the input device 1. The MPU 35 analyzesthe control signal thereof to execute various types of computationprocessing. The display control unit 42 principally generates image datato be displayed on the screen 3 of the display device 5 according to thecontrol of the MPU 35. The video RAM 41 serves as a work region of thedisplay control unit 42, and temporarily stores the generated imagedata.

The control device 40 may be a dedicated device for the input device 1,or may be a PC or the like. The control device 40 is not restricted to adedicated device for the input device, and may be a computer integratedwith the display device 5, or may be an audio/visual device, projector,game machine, or car navigation device, or the like.

Next, how to operate the input device 1, and a typical example of themovement of the pointer 2 thereby will be described. FIGS. 7A and 7B areexplanatory diagrams thereof. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the usergrasps the input device 1 with the thumb being turned up, and directsthe tip side of the input device 1 toward the display device 5. In thisstate, the circuit substrate 25 of the sensor unit 17 (see FIG. 6) isalmost parallel to the screen 3 of the display device 5, and the twoaxes that are the detection axes of the sensor unit 17 correspond to thehorizontal axis (X axis) and the vertical axis (Y axis) on the screen 3.Hereafter, the attitude of the input device 1 such as shown in FIGS. 7Aand 7B will be referred to as “basic attitude”.

First, in a basic attitude state, the user makes the thumb enter abovethe button 11 to set the pointer 2 to a movable state.

Subsequently, such as shown in FIG. 7A, the user shakes the wrist andarm in the horizontal direction, i.e., yaw direction from the basicattitude state. At this time, the first acceleration sensor 161 detectsacceleration a_(x) in the X′-axis direction, and the first angularvelocity sensor 151 detects angular velocity ω_(ψ) in the circumferenceof the Y′-axis. Based on the detection values thus detected, the controlsystem 100 controls the display of the pointer 2 so that the pointer 2moves in the horizontal-axis direction on the screen 3.

On the other hand, such as shown in FIG. 7B, in a basic attitude state,the user shakes the wrist and arm in the vertical direction, i.e., pitchdirection. At this time, the second acceleration sensor 162 detectsacceleration a_(y) in the Y′-axis direction, and the second angularvelocity sensor 152 detects angular velocity ω_(θ) in the circumferenceof the X′-axis. Based on these detection values thus detected, thecontrol system 100 controls the display of the pointer 2 so that thepointer 2 moves in the vertical-axis direction on the screen 3.

Next, description will be made regarding the whole screen region thatthe control device 40 stores. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the wholescreen region 50 to be stored in the control device 40.

The whole screen region 50 is divided into a real screen region 51 and avirtual screen region 52, which are stored in, for example, the ROM 37,RAM 36, or another memory of the control device 40. The real screenregion 51 is a region equivalent to the screen 3 to be actuallydisplayed on the display device 5, and the virtual screen region 52 is avirtual region set in the circumference of the real screen region 51.

The numbers of vertical and horizontal pixels of the real screen region51 are taken as Xr and Yr, respectively. The numbers of pixels of thewhole screen region are taken as Xv and Yv, respectively.

Examples of the numbers of horizontal and vertical pixels (Xr, Yr) ofthe real screen region 51 include (800, 600), (1280, 1024), (1920,1080), and (2048, 1152). However, the numbers thereof are not restrictedto these, and of course, other values may be employed.

The numbers of horizontal and vertical pixels (Xv, Yv) of the wholescreen region 50 should be greater than (Xr, Yr). For example, when (Xr,Yr) are (800, 600), (Xv, Yv) may be set to, for example, (1280, 1024) ormore (or less). For example, when (Xr, Yr) are (1920, 1080), (Xv, Yv)are (3920, 3080) or the like. However, any combination between (Xr, Yr)and (Xv, Yv) may be employed.

The size of the whole screen region 50 as to the real screen region 51(the size of the virtual screen region 52 as to the real screen region51) may be changed based on the content of processing executed by thecontrol device 40. For example, in the case that the control device 40executes processing regarding a game, and the game thereof is displayedon the display device 5, the whole screen region 50 may be set to agreater size as to the real screen region 51. Also, for example, in thecase that the control device 40 executes processing regarding theInternet, and a web image or the like is displayed on the display device5, the whole screen region 50 may be set to a smaller size as to thesize of the whole screen region 50 when the processing regarding thegame is being executed.

The MPU 35 of the control device 40 generates coordinate values with acoordinate system including the real screen region 51 and the virtualscreen region 52 (the coordinate system of the whole screen region 50),which will be described later in detail. In this case, in the event thatthe generated coordinate values are included in the real screen image51, the coordinate values thereof become the coordinate values of a realpointer 2′, and in the event that the generated coordinate values areincluded in the virtual screen image 52, the coordinate values thereofbecome the coordinate values of a virtual pointer 2″.

Now, the real pointer 2′ is, in the case that coordinate values existwithin the real screen region 51, a pointer to be actually displayed onthe positions of the coordinate values thereof. Also, the virtualpointer 2″ is, in the case that coordinate values exist within thevirtual screen region 52, a virtual pointer conceptually determined toexist on the positions of the coordinate values thereof.

Note that, with the present Specification, let us say that in the caseof simply being mentioned as the pointer 2, both of the real pointer 2′and the virtual pointer 2″ are included.

With the coordinate system of the whole screen region 50, for example,the center of the real screen region 50 is taken as the origin (0, 0).The coordinate values of the four corners of the real screen region 51are taken as, in the clockwise order from the coordinate value of theupper-right corner, (X1, Y1), (X1, −Y1), (−X1, −Y1), and (−X1, Y1).Also, the coordinate values of the four corners of the whole screenregion 50 (the four corners of the virtual screen region 52) are takenas, in the clockwise order from the coordinate value of the upper-rightcorner, (X1+X2, Y1+Y2), (X1+X2, −Y1−Y2), (−X1−X2, −Y1−Y2), and (−X1−X2,Y1+Y2).

Note that, as described above, the coordinate values of the corners ofthe whole screen region 50 (the corners of the virtual screen region 52)may be changed according to the processing content executed by thecontrol device 40.

FIG. 8 illustrates a mode wherein the virtual screen region 52 is set toall portions of the circumference of the real screen region 51. However,the mode is not restricted to this, and accordingly, the virtual screenregion 52 may be set to a portion of the circumference of the realscreen region 51.

Description of Operation

Next, the processing of the control system 100 will be described.

Processing when Coordinate Values are Generated with the CoordinateSystem of the Whole Screen Region 50 According to the Operation of theInput Device 1

First, description will be made regarding the processing of the controlsystem 100 when coordinate values are generated with the coordinatesystem of the whole screen region 50 according to the operation of theinput device 1.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation at that time. Notethat, with description in FIG. 9, for convenience of description,description will be made assuming that the pointer 2 (including the realpointer 2′ and the virtual pointer 2″) is constantly in a movable statewithin the whole screen region 50. As shown in FIG. 9, when the angularvelocity signals of the two axes are output from the angular velocitysensor unit 15, the MPU 19 of the input device 1 obtains angularvelocity values (ω_(ψ), ω_(θ)) according to these angular velocitysignals (ST101).

Also, when the acceleration signals of the two axes are output from theacceleration sensor unit 16, the MPU 19 obtains acceleration values(a_(x), a_(y)) according to the acceleration signals of the two axes(ST102).

The MPU 19 typically performs obtaining of the angular velocity values(ω_(ψ), ω_(θ)) (ST101), and obtaining of the acceleration values (a_(x),a_(y)) (ST102) in a synchronous manner. However, obtaining of theangular velocity values (ω_(ψ), ω_(θ)), and obtaining of theacceleration values (a_(x), a_(y)) do not have to be performed in asynchronous manner (simultaneously). For example, the MPU 19 may obtainthe acceleration values (a_(x), a_(y)) after obtaining the angularvelocity values (ω_(ψ), ω_(θ)), or may obtain the angular velocityvalues (ω_(ψ), ω_(θ)) after obtaining the acceleration values (a_(x),a_(y)).

The MPU 19 calculates, based on the acceleration values (a_(x), a_(y))and the angular velocity values (ω_(ψ), ω_(θ)), velocity values (firstvelocity value V_(x), second velocity value V_(y)) by a predeterminedcalculation (ST103). The first velocity value V_(x) is a velocity valuein a direction along the X′ axis, and the second velocity value V_(y) isa velocity value in a direction along the Y′ axis.

As for a calculation method for the velocity values, a method may bequoted wherein the MPU 19 obtains the turning radiuses (R_(ψ), R_(θ)) ofthe operation of the input device 1 by dividing the acceleration values(a_(x), a_(y)) by the angular velocity values (ω_(ψ), ω_(θ)), andmultiplying the turning radiuses (R_(ψ), R_(θ)) by the angular velocityvalues (ω_(ψ), ω_(θ)), thereby obtaining the velocity values. Theturning radiuses (R_(ψ), R_(θ)) may be obtained by dividing rates ofchange in acceleration (Δa_(x), Δa_(y)) by rates of change in angularvelocity (Δ(Δω_(ψ)), Δ(Δω_(θ))). In the even that the turning radiuses(R_(ψ), R_(θ)) is obtained by dividing rates of change in acceleration(Δa_(x), Δa_(y)) by rates of change in angular velocity (Δ(Δω_(ψ)),Δ(Δω_(θ))), influence of gravitational acceleration may be eliminated.

In the event that the velocity values are calculated by such acalculation method, a sense of operation corresponding to the user'sintuition is obtained, and also the movement of the pointer 2 on thescreen 3 is accurately fit into the operation of the input device 1.However, the velocity values (V_(x), V_(y)) do not have to be calculatedby the above calculation method.

As for another example of the calculation method for the velocity values(V_(x), V_(y)), a method may be quoted wherein the MPU 19 obtains thevelocity values, for example, by integrating the acceleration values(a_(x), a_(y)), and also the angular velocity values (ω_(ψ), ω_(θ)) areused as assistance of the integration calculation thereof.Alternatively, the velocity values (V_(x), V_(y)) may be obtained bysimply integrating the acceleration values (a_(x), a_(y)).Alternatively, the detected angular velocity values (ω_(ψ), ω_(θ)) maybe employed as the displacement information of the pointer 2.

The MPU 19 transmits the information of the calculated velocity values(V_(x), V_(y)) to the control device 40 via the transceiver 21 and theantenna 22 (ST104).

The MPU 35 of the control device 40 receives the information of thevelocity values (V_(x), V_(y)) via the antenna 39 and the transceiver 38(ST105). In this case, the input device 1 transmits the velocity values(V_(x), V_(y)) at predetermined clock intervals, i.e., at predeterminedtime intervals, and the control device 40 receives the velocity valuesfor every predetermined number of clocks.

Upon receiving the velocity values, the MPU 35 of the control device 40adds the velocity values (V_(x), V_(y)) to the last coordinate values(X(t−1), Y(t−1)) to generate new coordinate values (X(t), Y(t)) by thefollowing Expressions (1) and (2) (ST106).

X(t)=X(t−1)+V _(x)  (1)

Y(t)=Y(t−1)+Y _(x)  (2)

The new generated coordinate values (X(t), Y(t)) are coordinate valueswithin the whole screen region 50 (see FIG. 8), and accordingly, thecoordinate values (X(t), Y(t)) satisfy the following Expressions (3) and(4).

−X1−X2≦X(t)≦X1+X2  (3)

−Y1−Y2≦Y(t)≦Y1+Y2  (4)

Upon the new coordinate values (X(t), Y(t)) being generated within thewhole screen region 50, the MPU 35 controls the display of the pointer 2(real pointer 2′) according to the positions of the generated coordinatevalues (ST107).

Note that, with the present embodiment, in the case that the generatedcoordinate values are included in the real screen region 51, the pointer2 (real pointer 2′) is displayed on the position according to thecoordinate values within the real screen region 51, and in the case thatthe generated coordinate values are included in the virtual screenregion 52, the pointer 2 (real pointer 2′) is displayed on the positionaccording to the coordinate values within the virtual screen region 52(on the edge portion of the real screen region 51). The detailsregarding the display position of the pointer 2 will be described later.

Here, the calculation of the velocity values (V_(x), V_(y)) may beexecuted by the control device 40. In this case, the input device 1transmits the information of the angular velocity values (ω_(ψ), ω_(θ))and the acceleration values (a_(x), a_(y)) to the control device 40 viathe transceiver 21 and the antenna 22. The control device 40 calculatesthe velocity values (V_(x), V_(y)) based on the information of theangular velocity values (ω_(ψ), ω_(θ)) and the acceleration values(a_(x), a_(y)) received via the antenna 39 and the transceiver 38. Thecalculation method for the velocity values is such as described above.

Processing Executed by the Control Device 100 for Switching the MovableState and the Immovable State of the Pointer 2

Next, description will be made regarding, in the case that the button 11(first step) has been operated by the user, processing executed by thecontrol system 100 for switching the movable state and the immovablestate of the pointer 2 according to the operation thereof. Hereafter,description will be made regarding a method for switching the movablestate and the immovable state of the pointer 2 by referring to severalexamples.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating an example of the processingof the control system 100 in the case of switching the movable state andthe immovable state of the pointer 2, respectively. As shown in FIG. 10,the MPU 19 of the input device 1 determines whether or not the firststep of the button 11 (optical sensor 8) is in an on state (ST1101).Upon the user making the thumb enter above the button 11 of the inputdevice 1, light emitted from the light-emitting element 6 of the opticalsensor 8 is reflected at the thumb, and input to the light-receivingelement 7. Upon light being input to the light-receiving element 7, alight-receiving signal is output from the light-receiving element 7, andinput to the MPU 19. In this case, the MPU 19 determines that the firststep of the button 11 (optical sensor 8) is in an on state.

In the case that the first step of the button 11 is in an on state (YESin ST1101), the MPU 19 transmits the information of the velocity values(V_(x), V_(y)) (first information), and the movable information of thepointer 2 (second information) to the control device 40 (ST1102).

On the other hand, in the case that the first step of the button 11 isin an off state (NO in ST1101), the MPU 19 transmits the information ofthe velocity values (V_(x), V_(y)) (first information), and theimmovable information of the pointer 2 (second information) to thecontrol device 40 (ST1103).

That is to say, the MPU 19 of the input device 1 transmits the twopieces of the information of the information of the velocity values, andthe movable/immovable information of the pointer 2 to the control device40.

The MPU 15 of the control device 40 determines, based on the movableinformation of the pointer 2, or the immovable information transmittedfrom the input device 1, whether or not the pointer 2 is in a movablestate (ST1104).

In the case that the pointer 2 is in a movable state (YES in ST1104),with the coordinate system of the whole screen region 50, the coordinatevalues (X(t), Y(t)) are generated by the above Expressions (1) and (2)(ST1105).

On the other hand, in the case that the pointer 2 is in an immovablestate (NO in ST1104), the MPU 35 uses the last coordinate values(X(t−1), Y(t−1)) as the coordinate values (X(t), Y(t)) (ST1106).Alternatively, in ST1106 the MPU 35 may execute processing for adding(0, 0) to the last coordinate values (X(t−1), Y(t−1)).

Upon the coordinate values (X(t), Y(t)) being generated within the wholescreen region 50, the MPU 35 controls the display of the pointer 2 (realpointer 2′) according to the positions of the generated coordinatevalues (ST1107).

According to such processing, the user may arbitrarily select start andstop of the movement of the pointer 2 by making the thumb enter abovethe button 11, or releasing the thumb from above the button 11.

The MPU 19 of the input device 1 may transmit, instead of the movableinformation of the pointer 2, information indicating that the first stepof the button 11 (optical sensor 8) is in an on state. Similarly, inST1103 the MPU 19 may transmit, instead of the immovable information ofthe pointer 2, information indicating that the first step of the button11 (optical sensor 8) is in an off state. In this case, the MPU 35 ofthe control device 40 should determine in ST1104 whether the first stepof the button 11 (optical sensor 8) is in an on state or in an offstate. The movable state and the immovable state of the pointer 2 mayalso be switched by such processing.

Next, processing illustrated in FIG. 11 will be described. As shown inFIG. 11, the MPU 19 of the input device 1 determines whether or not thefirst step of the button 11 (optical sensor 8) is in an on state(ST1201).

In the case that the first step of the button 11 (optical sensor 8) isin an on state (YES in ST1201), the MPU 19 transmits the information ofthe velocity values (V_(x), V_(y)) to the control device 40 (ST1202).

On the other hand, in the case that the first step of the button 11(optical sensor 8) is in an off state (NO in ST1201), the MPU 19 doesnot transmit the information of the velocity values (V_(x), V_(y)) tothe control device 40 (ST1203), and returns to ST1201.

Here, in the case of FIG. 11, unlike the processing shown in FIG. 10, inthe case that the input device 1 transmits signals to the control device40, the two pieces of the information (the information of the velocityvalues, and the movable/immovable information) do not have to betransmitted, but only the information of the velocity values issufficient.

The MPU 35 of the control device 40 determines whether or not theinformation of the velocity values (V_(x), V_(y)) from the input device1 has been received (ST1204). In the case that the information of thevelocity values (V_(x), V_(y)) has been received (YES in ST1204), withthe coordinate system of the whole screen region 50, the coordinatevalues (X(t), Y(t)) are generated by the above Expressions (1) and (2)(ST1205).

On the other hand, in the case that the information of the velocityvalues (V_(x), V_(y)) has not been received from the input device 1 (NOin ST1204), the MPU 35 employs the last coordinate values (X(t−1),Y(t−1)) as the coordinate value (X(t), Y(t)) (ST1206). Alternatively,the MPU 35 may execute processing for adding (0, 0) to the lastcoordinate values (X(t−1), Y(t−1)) in ST1206.

Upon the coordinate values (X(t), Y(t)) being generated within the wholescreen region 50, the MPU 35 controls the display of the pointer 2 (realpointer 2′) according to the positions of the generated coordinatevalues (ST1207).

The MPU 19 of the input device 1 may transmit the velocity values to thecontrol device 40 as (0, 0) in ST1203. That is to say, in the case thatthe first step of the button 11 (optical sensor 8) is in an off state,the MPU 19 may transmit the velocity values to the control device 40 as(0, 0). The movable state and the immovable state of the pointer 2 mayalso be switched by such processing.

The Processing of the Control Device, and the Movement of the RealPointer 2′ and Virtual Pointer 2″ Within the Whole Screen Region

Next, the processing of the control device 40 included in the controlsystem 100 according to the present embodiment will be described furtherin detail, and also the movement of the real pointer 2′ and virtualpointer 2″ within the whole screen region 40 will be described.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control device40 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 12, description will bemade regarding a case where the switching method shown in FIG. 10 hasbeen applied to the method for switching the movable state and theimmovable state of the pointer 2.

Note that, with the description in FIG. 12 and thereafter, coordinatevalues to be determined within the whole screen region 50, which arecoordinate values to be generated by the processing shown in ST106 inFIG. 9, ST1105 and ST1106 in FIG. 10, and the like, will be referred toas first coordinate values for convenience of description. Also,description in FIG. 12 will be made with reference to later-describedFIGS. 13 through 16.

As shown in FIG. 12, the MPU 35 of the control device 40 determines,based on the movable information or immovable information of the pointer2 transmitted from the input device 1, whether or not the pointer 2 isin a movable state (ST201).

In the case that the pointer 2 is in a movable state (YES in ST201), theMPU 35 of the control device 40 generates, based on the information ofthe velocity values (V_(x), V_(y)) transmitted from the input device 1,the first coordinate values (X(t), Y(t)) within the whole screen region50 (ST202).

Upon the first coordinate values (X(t), Y(t)) being generated, the MPU35 determines whether or not the coordinate values (X(t), Y(t)) thereofare coordinate values included in the virtual screen region 52 (ST203).

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a determining methodregarding whether or not the first coordinate values (X(t), Y(t)) arecoordinate values included in the virtual screen region 52.

The MPU 35 of the control device 40 determines by the followingExpression (5) whether or not X(t) that is an X-axis component of thefirst coordinate values is a value between an X-axis component −X1 ofthe coordinate values of an edge portion 53 on the left side of the realscreen region 51, and an X-axis component X1 of the coordinate values ofthe edge portion 53 on the right side (ST301).

−X1<X(t)<X1  (5)

In the case that the above Expression (5) is not satisfied (NO inST301), i.e., in the case that X(t) is not a value between the left-sideedge portion 53 and the right-side edge portion 53 of the real screenregion 51, the MPU 35 determines that the first coordinate values (X(t),Y(t)) are values within the virtual screen region 52 (ST304).

In the case that the above Expression (5) is satisfied (YES in ST301),the MPU 35 proceeds to ST302. In ST302, the MPU 35 determines by thefollowing Expression (6) whether or not Y(t) that is a Y-axis componentof the first coordinate values is a value between a Y-axis component −Y1of the coordinate values of the edge portion 53 on the lower side of thereal screen region 51, and a Y-axis component Y1 of the coordinatevalues of the edge portion 53 on the upper side (ST302).

−Y1<Y(t)<Y1  (6)

In the case that the above Expression (6) is not satisfied (NO inST302), i.e., in the case that Y(t) is not a value between thelower-side edge portion 53 and the upper-side edge portion 53 of thereal screen region 51, the MPU 35 determines that the first coordinatevalues (X(t), Y(t)) are values within the virtual screen region 52(ST304).

On the other hand, in the case that the above Expression (6) issatisfied (YES in ST302), the MPU 35 determines that the firstcoordinate values (X(t), Y(t)) are not values within the virtual screenregion 52 (ST203).

As shown in FIG. 12, in the case that the first coordinate values (X(t),Y(t)) are not included in the virtual screen region 52 (NO in ST203),i.e., in the case that the first coordinate values are included in thereal screen region 51, the MPU 35 controls the display of the screen 3so as to display the real pointer 2′ on the position according to thecoordinate values (X(t), Y(t)) thereof (ST204).

On the other hand, in the case that the first coordinate values (X(t),Y(t)) are values within the virtual screen region 52 (YES in ST303), theMPU 35 generates the second coordinate values (X′(t), Y′(t)) based onthe first coordinate values (X(t), Y(t)) (ST205).

Here, the second coordinate values (X′(t), Y′(t)) are coordinate valueswithin the real screen region 51 to be generated based on the firstcoordinate values (X(t), Y(t)). With the present embodiment, the secondcoordinate values (X′(t), Y′(t)) are assumed to be coordinate values onthe edge portion of the real screen region 51.

Upon generating the second coordinate values, the MPU 35 controls thedisplay on the screen 3 so as to display the real pointer 2′ on theposition according to the second coordinate values (X′(t), Y′(t)). Inthis case, as described above, the second coordinate values (X′(t),Y′(t)) are assumed to be coordinate values on the edge portion of thereal screen region 51, and accordingly, the real pointer 2′ is displayedon the edge portion on the screen 3.

In the case that the first coordinate values (X(t), Y(t)) are coordinatevalues within the virtual screen region 52, it can conceptually bedetermined that the virtual pointer 2″ exists on the position accordingto the coordinate values (X(t), Y(t)) thereof. Accordingly, it can beconceived by the processing shown in ST205 and ST206 that the realpointer 2′ is displayed on the position according to the coordinatevalues of the virtual pointer 2″ (first coordinate values (X(t), Y(t)))on the screen 3.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a generation method ofthe second coordinate values to be generated based on the firstcoordinate values by ST205 in FIG. 12.

The MPU 35 of the control device 40 determines whether or not X(t) thatis an X-axis component of the first coordinate values is greater thanthe X-axis component X1 of the coordinate values of the edge portion 53on the right side of the real screen region 51 (ST401). In the case thatthe X-axis component X(t) of the first coordinate values is greater thanX1 (YES in ST401), the MPU 35 sets X′(t) that is an X-axis component ofthe second coordinate values to X1 (ST402).

On the other hand, in the case that the X-axis component X(t) of thefirst coordinate values is equal to or smaller than X1, the MPU 35proceeds to the next ST403. In ST403, determination is made whether ornot the X-axis component X(t) of the first coordinate values is smallerthan the X-axis component −X1 of the coordinate values of the left-sideedge portion 53 of the real screen region 51.

In the case that the X-axis component X(t) of the first coordinatevalues is smaller than −X1 (YES in ST403), the MPU 35 sets the X-axiscomponent X′(t) of the second coordinate values to −X1 (ST404).

On the other hand, in the case that the X-axis component X(t) of thefirst coordinate values is equal to or greater than −X1 (NO in ST403),the MPU sets the X-axis component X′(t) of the second coordinate valuesto the X-axis component X(t) of the first coordinate values (ST405).

Next, the MPU 35 determines whether or not the Y-axis component Y(t) ofthe first coordinate values is greater than the Y-axis component Y1 ofthe coordinate values of the upper edge portion 53 of the real screenregion 51 (ST406). In the case that the Y-axis component Y(t) of thefirst coordinate values is greater than Y1 (YES in ST406), the MPU 35sets the Y-axis component Y′(t) of the second coordinate values to Y1(ST407).

On the other hand, in the case that the Y-axis component Y(t) of thefirst coordinate values is equal to or smaller than Y1 (NO in ST406),the MPU 35 proceeds to ST408. In ST408, the MPU determines whether ornot the Y-axis component Y(t) of the first coordinate values is smallerthan the Y-axis component −Y1 of the lower edge portion 53 of the realscreen region 51.

In the case that the Y-axis component Y(t) of the first coordinatevalues is smaller than −Y1 (YES in ST408), the MPU sets the Y-axiscomponent Y′(t) of the second coordinate values to −Y1 (ST409).

On the other hand, in the case that the Y-axis component Y(t) of thefirst coordinate values is equal to or greater than −Y1 (NO in ST408),the MPU sets the Y-axis component Y′(t) of the second coordinate valuesto the Y-axis component Y(t) of the first coordinate values (ST410).

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the movement of thevirtual pointer and real pointer in the case that the processing shownin FIG. 14 has been executed. As shown in FIG. 15, the real pointer 2′is displayed in a range of the coordinate values (second coordinatevalues (−X1, Y(t2)) through (X(t7), −Y1)) according to the coordinatevalues of the virtual pointer 2″ (first coordinate values (X(t2), Y(t2))through (X(t7), Y(t7))) on the edge portion of the real screen region51.

Thus, the user can operate the pointer 2 with a sense of operating thepointer 2 within the whole screen region 50 that is wider than the realscreen region 51, by the movement of the virtual pointer 2″ and realpointer 2′. Also, mismatch between the display position of the pointer 2and the relative position between that position and the pointingdirection of the input device 1 can be prevented from occurring on theedge portion of the screen 3 (real screen region 51).

Returning to description in FIG. 12, in ST201, in the case that thepointer 2 is not in a movable state (NO in ST201), i.e., in the casethat the immovable information has been received from the input device1, the MPU 35 proceeds to ST207.

In the case that the pointer 2 is in an immovable state, the MPU 35employs the last coordinate values as the first coordinate values(ST207). Next, the MPU 35 determines whether or not the first coordinatevalues (X(t), Y(t)) are coordinate values within the virtual screenregion 52 (ST208). In this case, for example, by processing such asshown in the above FIG. 13, determination is made whether or not thefirst coordinate values (X(t), Y(t)) are coordinate values within thevirtual screen region 52.

In the case that the first coordinate values (X(t), Y(t)) are notcoordinate values within the virtual screen region 52 (NO in ST208),i.e., in the case that the first coordinate values (X(t), Y(t)) arecoordinate values within the real screen region 51, the MPU 35 displaysthe real pointer 2′ on the position according to the first coordinatevalues (ST204).

On the other hand, in the case that the first coordinate values (X(t),Y(t)) are coordinate values within the virtual screen region 52 (YES inST208), the MPU 35 proceeds to the next ST209. In ST209, the MPU 35executes processing for moving the first coordinate values (X(t), Y(t))to the position according to the second coordinate values (X′(t), Y′(t))(ST209). That is to say, the MPU 35 processing for aligning thecoordinate values of the virtual pointer 2″ with the coordinate valuesof the real pointer 2′. In this case, the first coordinate values aremoved to the real screen region 51, and accordingly, the virtual pointer2″ is eliminated.

Upon moving the first coordinate values (X(t), Y(t)) to positionaccording to the second coordinate values (X′(t), Y′(t)), the MPU 35displays the real pointer 2′ on the position according to the firstcoordinate values (X(t), Y(t)) (ST204).

FIG. 16 is a diagram for describing a series of flow regarding themovement of the virtual pointer 2″ and real pointer 2′ in the case thatthe processing shown in FIG. 12 has been executed.

For example, let us say that the real pointer 2′ is displayed in a statein which the real pointer 2′ is stopped on the position shown in (a) inFIG. 16. In a state in which the user releases the thumb from above thebutton 11 of the input device 1, the real pointer 2′ is not moved on thescreen 3 (In FIG. 12, loop of NO in ST201→NO in ST208→NO in ST204).

The user makes the thumb enter above the button 11 of the input device 1by directing the tip portion of the input device 1 toward the directionof the real pointer 2′ displayed on the position in (a) in FIG. 16.Thus, the real pointer 2′ is in a movable state. Next, for example, letus say that the user operates the input device 1 in space, and moves thereal pointer 2′ to the position shown in (b) in FIG. 16 (In FIG. 12,loop of YES in ST201→NO in ST203→ST204).

In the case that the real pointer 2′ exceeds the position shown in (b)in FIG. 16, i.e., in the case of exceeding the edge portion 53 of thereal screen region 51, the real pointer 2′ is moved along the edgeportion of the screen 3 according to the coordinate values of thevirtual pointer 2″ (first coordinate values (X(t), Y(t))) (loop of YESin ST201→YES in ST203→ST206).

Let us say that the user operates the input device 1 in space to movethe virtual pointer 2″ to the position shown in (c) in FIG. 16. At thistime, the real pointer 2′ is displayed on the position shown in (c′) inFIG. 16.

Let us say that in the case that the virtual pointer 2″ exists on theposition shown in (c) in FIG. 16, the user releases the thumb from abovethe button 11 of the input device. In this case, the coordinate valuesof the virtual pointer 2″ (first coordinate values (X(t), Y(t))) aremoved to the positions of the coordinate values of the real pointer 2′(second coordinate values (X′(t), Y′(t))) (NO in ST201→YES inST208→ST204). In this case, the first coordinate values (X(t), Y(t)) aremoved to the real screen region 51, and accordingly, the virtual pointer2″ is eliminated from the virtual screen region 52.

In a state in which the user releases the thumb from above the button11, the real pointer 2′ displayed on the position shown in (c′) in FIG.16 is not moved. The user directs the tip portion of the input device 1toward the direction of the real pointer 2′ displayed on the positionshown in (c) in FIG. 16 to make the thumb enter above the button 11 ofthe input device 1. When making the thumb enter above the input device1, the real pointer 2′ is thus in a movable state. The user operates theinput device 1 in space to move the real pointer 2′ to the positionshown in (d) in FIG. 16 from the position shown in (c′) in FIG. 16, andreleases the thumb from above the button 11. Thus, the real pointer 2′becomes a stopped state on the position shown in (d) in FIG. 16.

Now, let us assume a case where the virtual pointer 2″ exists on theposition shown in (c) in FIG. 16, and the coordinate values (X(t), Y(t))of the virtual pointer 2″ are not moved to the coordinate values (X′(t),Y′(t) of the real pointer 2′ when the user releases the thumb from abovethe button 11.

In this case, when the user releases the thumb from above the button 11,the virtual pointer 2″ is stopped at the position shown in (c) in FIG.16 within the virtual screen region 52, and the real pointer 2′ isstopped at the position shown in (c′) in FIG. 16 on the edge portion 53of the real screen region 51.

The user can visually recognize the real pointer 2′ displayed on theposition shown in (c′) in FIG. 16, but not the virtual pointer 2″existing on the position shown in (c) in FIG. 16.

In the case of attempting to resume the movement of the real pointer 2′displayed on the position shown in (c′) in FIG. 16, the userinstinctively directs the tip portion of the input device 1 toward thedirection of the real pointer 2′ that can visually be recognized.Subsequently, the user makes the thumb enter above the button 11 tochange the real pointer 2′ to a movable state.

However, in this case, the substantial coordinate values of the pointer2 are the coordinate values of the virtual pointer 2″ (first coordinatevalues (X(t), Y(t))), but not the coordinate values of the real pointer2′ (second coordinate values (X′(t), Y′(t))).

For example, let us say that the user has shaken the input device 1 inthe right direction by attempting to move the real pointer 2′ displayedon the position shown in (c′) in FIG. 16 to the right side. In thiscase, the real pointer 2′ is not moved to the right side until thecoordinate values of the virtual pointer 2″ (first coordinate values)reach the edge portion 53 on the left side of the real screen region 51.

When the movement of the real pointer 2′ displayed on the position shownin (c′) in FIG. 16 is started from the edge portion 53 on the left sideof the real screen region 51 to the right side, the tip portion of theinput device 1 points more right side than the position shown in (c′) inFIG. 16.

That is to say, mismatch occurs between the display position of thepointer 2, and the direction pointed by the tip portion of the inputdevice 1 by the difference worth between the coordinate values of thevirtual pointer 2″ (first coordinate values (X(t), Y(t))), and thecoordinate values of the real pointer 2′ (second coordinate values(X′(t), Y′(t))). Thus, the user feels uncomfortable.

Therefore, with the control device according to the present embodiment,in the case that the virtual pointer 2″ exists within the virtual screenregion 52, and in the event that the movement of the virtual pointer 2″is stopped, the coordinate values of the virtual pointer 2″ (firstcoordinate values) are moved to the positions of the coordinate valuesof the real pointer 2′ (second coordinate values).

Thus, for example, in order to resume the movement of the real pointer2′ displayed on the position shown in (c′) in FIG. 16, when the userdirects the tip portion of the input device 1 toward the direction ofthe real pointer 2′, the substantial coordinate values of the pointer 2are moved to the display position of the real pointer 2′.

Thus, mismatch can be prevented from occurring between the displayposition of the pointer 2, and the direction pointed by the tip portionof the input device 1, and accordingly, the user can intuitively operatethe pointer 2 without feeling uncomfortable.

Various Modifications of First Embodiment

With the present embodiment, description has been made wherein when theuser releases the thumb from above the button 11, the first coordinatevalues (the coordinate values of the virtual pointer 2″) are moved tothe positions of the second coordinate values (the coordinate values ofthe real pointer 2′). However, when the user makes the thumb enter abovethe button 11, the first coordinate values may be moved to the positionsof the second coordinate values. The same advantage may also be obtainedby such processing.

Description has been made wherein in FIG. 12, in ST209, the firstcoordinate values (X(t), Y(t)) (the coordinate values of the virtualpointer 2″) are moved to the second coordinate values (second coordinatevalues (X′(t), Y′(t))). However, the positions where the firstcoordinate values are moved are not restricted to these. Typically, thepositions where the first coordinate values are moved may be anypositions within the real screen region 51. For example, the firstcoordinate values may be moved to the center (origin (0, 0)) of the realscreen region 51.

In the case that the virtual pointer 2″ exists, the position where thereal pointer 2′ is displayed is not restricted to on the edge portion ofthe screen (real screen region 51). For example, the real pointer 2′ maybe displayed on a position having a little distance from the edgeportion of the screen.

In the case that the first coordinate values (X(t), Y(t)) are includedin the virtual screen region 52 (in the case that the virtual pointer 2″exists), the real pointer 2′ does not necessarily have to be displayed.Specifically, in the case that the first coordinate values are includedin the virtual screen region 52, the MPU 35 may execute processing foreliminating the real pointer 2′. Note that, in this case, the secondcoordinate values do not necessarily have to be displayed.

In FIG. 12, description has been made wherein the switching method shownin FIG. 10 has been applied to the method for switching the movablestate and the immovable state of the pointer 2. However, the switchingmethod shown in FIG. 11 may be applied to the method for switching themovable state and the immovable state of the pointer 2. In this case,the MPU 35 of the control device 40 should determine in ST201 whether ornot the information of the velocity values has been received from theinput device 1. This is similar to later-described embodiments.

The processing of the control device 40 described in FIG. 12, i.e., theprocessing relating to the management of the coordinate values of thepointer 2 may principally be executed by the input device 1. In thiscase, the input device 1 should store the whole screen region 50. Theinput device 1 should manage the coordinate values of the pointer 2within the stored whole screen region 50. With later-describedembodiments as well, similarly, the input device 1 may principallyexecute processing relating to the management of the coordinate valuesof the pointer, and the like.

Second Embodiment

Next, a control system 100 according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention will be described. With the second embodiment,description will be made focusing on the operation of the control device40 included in the control system 100 according to the secondembodiment.

The second embodiment differs from the above first embodiment in thatthe coordinate values of the virtual pointer 2″ (first coordinatevalues) are moved to the real screen region 51 not only when the userreleases the thumb from above the button 11, but also when adetermination command is transmitted from the input device 1.Accordingly, description will be made focusing on this point.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control device40 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustratingan example of the movement of the virtual pointer and real pointer inthe case that the processing shown in FIG. 17 has been executed.

In ST501 through ST509, the same processing as ST201 through ST209 shownin the above FIG. 12 is executed.

Upon receiving the movable information of the pointer 2 (YES in ST501),the MPU 35 of the control device 40 generates first coordinate valuesbased on the information of velocity values (ST502), and determineswhether or not the first coordinate values are coordinate values withinthe virtual screen region 52 (ST503). In the case that the firstcoordinate values are coordinate values within the virtual screen region52 (YES in ST503), the MPU 35 generates second coordinate values basedon the first coordinate values (ST505), and displays the real pointer 2′on the position according to the second coordinate values (ST506).

Next, the MPU 35 determines whether or not a determination command hasbeen received from the input device 1 (ST510). In the case that nodetermination command has been received (NO in ST501), the MPU 35returns to ST501 to execute the processing in ST501 and thereafter.

The user presses the button 11 from a state in which the user positionsthe thumb above the button 11 of the input device 1, and releasespressing thereof. Upon the user releasing pressing of the button 11, adetermination command is transmitted to the control device 40 from theinput device 1 via the transceiver 21 and the antenna 22. The inputdevice 1 may transmit a determination command when the button 11 ispressed, rather than when pressing of the button 11 is released.

Upon a determination command being transmitted from the input device 1,the determination command is input to the MPU 35 of the control device40 via the antenna 39 and the transceiver 38 (YES in ST510). Upon thedetermination command being input, the MPU 35 executes predeterminedprocessing according to the second coordinate values (ST511).Specifically, in the case that the virtual pointer 2″ exists within thevirtual screen region 52, the MPU 35 executes predetermined processingaccording to the positions of the coordinate values of the real pointer2′ displayed on the edge portion 53 of the real screen region 51. Forexample, in the case that the real pointer 2′ displayed on the edgeportion 53 of the real screen region 51 is on an icon 4, the MPU 35executes processing corresponding to the icon 4 thereof.

Next, the MPU 35 moves the first coordinate values (the coordinatevalues of the virtual pointer 2″) to the origin (0, 0) that is thecenter of the real screen region 51 (ST512). In this case, the realpointer 2′ is displayed on the center of the real screen region 51, andthe virtual pointer 2″ is eliminated.

In the case of starting the movement of the pointer 2 again, the usershould start the movement of the pointer by directing the tip portion ofthe input device 1 toward the real pointer 2′ displayed on the center ofthe screen 3, and making the thumb enter above the button 11.

Note that, in the case that the first coordinate values are included inthe real screen region 51, in the event that the determination commandhas been received (ST513), predetermined processing is executedaccording to the first coordinate values (ST514).

Description will be made regarding an example of the movement of thevirtual pointer and real pointer in the case that the processing shownin FIG. 17 has been executed, with reference to FIG. 18. As shown inFIG. 18, multiple icons 4 are displayed along the left-side edge portionof the real screen region 51 on the screen 3.

For example, let us say that the real pointer 2′ is displayed in a statein which the real pointer 2′ is stopped at the position shown in (a) inFIG. 18. The user directs the tip portion of the input device 1 towardthe real pointer 2′ displayed on the position shown in (a) in FIG. 18,makes the thumb enter above the button 11 to change the pointer 2 to amovable state. Subsequently, the user operates the input device 1 inspace to move the real pointer 2′ to the position of an icon 4 disposedalong the edge portion 53 of the real screen region 51.

Let us say that the first coordinate values enter the virtual screenregion 52, and for example, the virtual pointer 2″ is moved to theposition shown in (b) in FIG. 18. In this case, second coordinate valuesare generated based on the first coordinate values, and the real pointer2′ is displayed on a position on the edge portion 53 of the real screenregion 51, which is a position according to the position of the virtualpointer 2″ (see (b′) in FIG. 18).

Let us say that the user presses the button 11 from a state in which theuser positions the thumb above the button 11, and then releases pressingthereof. In this case, processing relating to the icon 4 correspondingto the position of the real pointer 2′ displayed on the position shownin (b′) in FIG. 18 is executed on the screen 3 (ST510 and ST511).

Subsequently, the coordinate values of the virtual pointer 2″ (firstcoordinate values) existing on the position shown in (b) in FIG. 18 aremoved to the origin (0, 0) (ST512), and accordingly, the virtual pointer2″ is eliminated, and the real pointer 2′ is displayed on the center ofthe screen 3 (see (c) in FIG. 18).

In the case of starting the movement of the pointer 2 again, the userdirects the tip portion of the input device 1 toward the real pointer 2′displayed on the center of the screen 3, makes the thumb enter above thebutton 11, thereby starting the movement of the pointer 2.

According to the processing shown in FIG. 17, the same advantage as theabove first embodiment can be obtained. That is to say, mismatch can beprevented from occurring between the display position of the pointer 2,and the direction pointed by the tip portion of the input device 1.

Also, with the second embodiment, an arrangement is made wherein when adetermination command is issued, the real pointer 2′ is moved to thecenter of the screen, and accordingly, the user can readily recognizethat a determination command has been issued, by confirming that thereal pointer 2′ is moved to the center of the screen 3.

When receiving a determination command, the MPU 35 does not necessarilyhave to move the first coordinate values to the center of the realscreen region 51. Typically, the first coordinate values should be movedto any position of the real screen region. For example, in the same wayas ST209 in FIG. 12, and ST509 in FIG. 17, the first coordinate values(the coordinate values of the virtual pointer 2″) may be moved to thepositions of the second coordinate values (the coordinate values of thereal pointer 2′).

Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Asdescribed above, the virtual pointer 2″ is a hypothetical pointerconceptually determined to exist within the virtual screen region 52,and accordingly, the user is not allowed to visually recognize thevirtual pointer 2″. Thus, when moving the virtual pointer 2″ within thevirtual screen region 52, the user may not recognize the position of thevirtual pointer 2″.

Therefore, with third through eighth embodiments, processing forallowing the user to recognize the position of the virtual pointer 2″existing within the virtual screen region 52 is executed. Note that,with the third embodiment and thereafter, description will be madefocusing on points different from the above first embodiment, but eachembodiment of the third embodiment and thereafter may be applied to thesecond embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control device40 according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 20 is a diagramillustrating an example of the movement of the virtual pointer and realpointer in the case that processing shown in FIG. 19 has been executed.As shown in FIG. 20, the virtual screen region 52 is divided into eightregions 52 a through 52 h of the left, lower left, lower, lower right,right, upper right, upper, and upper left of the real screen region 51.Note that, with the following description, of the eight divided virtualscreen regions 52 a through 52 h, four virtual screen regions 52 of theleft, lower, right, and upper of the real screen region 51 will bereferred to as vertical and horizontal regions 52 a, 52 c, 52 e, and 52g. On the other hand, four virtual screen regions 52 of the lower left,lower right, upper right, and upper left of the real screen region 51will be referred to as corner regions 52 b, 52 d, 52 f, and 52 h.

With regard to the processing other than ST606 through ST608 in FIG. 19,the same processing as the processing shown in FIG. 12 is executed.

Upon receiving the movable information of the pointer 2 (YES in ST601),the MPU 35 of the control device 40 generates first coordinate valuesbased on the information of velocity values (ST602), and determineswhether or not the first coordinate values are coordinate values withinthe virtual screen region 52 (ST603). In the case that the firstcoordinate values are coordinate values within the virtual screen region52 (YES in ST603), the MPU 35 generates second coordinate values basedon the first coordinate values (ST605).

Upon generating the second coordinate values, the MPU 35 of the controldevice 40 determines which region of the eight divided virtual screenregions 52 a through 52 h the first coordinate values are positioned on(ST606).

Next, the MPU 35 determines the orientation of the real pointer 2′ to bedisplayed on the edge portion 53 of the real screen region 51 accordingto the determined virtual screen regions 52 a through 52 h (ST607).

For example, in the case that the first coordinate values are positionedon the left virtual screen region 52 a of the real screen region 51, theorientation of the real pointer 2′ is determined to be facing the left.Similarly, in the case that the first coordinate values are positionedon the lower virtual screen region 52 c, right virtual screen region 52e, and upper virtual screen region 52 g, the orientations of the realpointer 2′ are determined to be facing down, facing the right, andfacing up, respectively.

Also, for example, in the case that the first coordinate values arepositioned on the lower-left virtual screen region 52 b of the realscreen region 51, the real pointer 2′ is determined to be facingdiagonally lower-left at 45 degrees. Similarly, the first coordinatevalues are positioned on the lower-right virtual screen region 52 d,upper-right virtual screen region 52 f, and upper-left virtual screenregion 52 h, the orientations of the real pointer 2′ are determined tobe facing diagonally lower-right at 45 degrees, facing diagonallyupper-right at 45 degrees, and facing diagonally upper-left at 45degrees, respectively.

Upon the orientation of the real pointer 2′ being determined, the MPU 35controls the display so as to display the real pointer 2′ withdetermined orientation on the position according to the secondcoordinate values (ST608).

Next, description will be made regarding the movement of the realpointer 2′ of which the position and orientation to be displayed arecontrolled according to the movement of the real pointer 2′, withreference to FIG. 20.

In the event that the first coordinate values exceed the left-side edgeportion 53 of the real screen region 51, and enter the left virtualscreen region 52 a of the real screen region 51, the virtual pointer 2″can conceptually be determined that the virtual pointer 2″ exists withinthis region 52 a. In the case that the virtual pointer 2″ is positionedon the left virtual screen region 52 a of the real screen region 51, thereal pointer 2′ is displayed facing the left on the left-side edgeportion 53 of the real screen 51 that is a position corresponding to theposition of the virtual pointer 2″.

In the event that the virtual pointer 2″ enters the lower-left virtualscreen region 52 b of the real screen region 51, the real pointer 2′ isdisplayed facing diagonally lower-left at 45 degrees on the positionaccording to the coordinate values (−X1, −Y1) of the lower-left cornerof the real screen region 51.

Hereafter, in the case that the virtual pointer 2″ is moved with thepath indicated with a dashed line in FIG. 20, the real pointer 2′ isdisplayed facing down on the lower-side edge portion 53 of the realscreen region 51, facing diagonally lower-right at 45 degrees on thelower-right corner (X1, −Y1) of the real screen region 51. Also, thereal pointer 2′ is displayed facing the right on the right-side edgeportion 53 of the real screen region 51, facing diagonally upper-rightat 45 degrees on the upper-right corner (X1, Y1) of the real screenregion 51, facing up on the upper-side edge portion 53 of the screenregion 51, facing diagonally upper-left at 45 degrees on the upper-leftcorner (X1, −Y1) of the real screen region 51.

That is to say, in the case that the virtual pointer 2″ is moved withthe path indicated with a dashed line in FIG. 20, each time the virtualscreen regions 52 a through 52 h where the virtual pointer 2″ ispositioned is changed, the real pointer 2′ on the edge portion 53 of thereal screen region 51 is displayed with the orientation of the realpointer 2′ being rotated 45 degrees at a time.

With the third embodiment, the orientation of the real pointer 2′ to bedisplayed on the edge portion 53 of the screen 3 is changed according tothe position of the virtual pointer 2″, and accordingly, the user canreadily recognize the direction where the virtual pointer 2″ exists.Thus, the operability of the pointer 2 can be improved.

Modification of Third Embodiment

In FIGS. 19 and 20, description has been made regarding a case where ofthe eight divided virtual screen regions 52 a through 52 h, in the eventthat the virtual pointer 2″ is positioned on the four corner regions 52b, 52 d, 52 f, and 52 h, the orientation of the real pointer 2′ isconstant on each region. However, the display method of the orientationof the real pointer 2′ in the event that the virtual pointer 2″ ispositioned on the four corner regions 52 b, 52 d, 52 f, and 52 h, is notrestricted to this. For example, the orientation of the real pointer 2′may be changed according to the position of the virtual pointer 2″.

FIG. 21 is a diagram for describing an example in a case where in theevent that the virtual pointer 2″ is positioned on a corner region, theorientation of the real pointer 2′ may be changed according to theposition of the virtual pointer 2″. FIG. 21 illustrates, of the fourcorner regions 52 b, 52 d, 52 f, and 52 h, change in the orientation ofthe real pointer 2′ in the case that the virtual pointer 2″ moves withinthe lower-left virtual screen region 52 b of the real screen region 51.As shown in (A) through (C) in FIG. 21, in the case that the virtualpointer 2″ moves within the virtual screen region 52 b, the display iscontrolled so that the real pointer 2′ faces the direction of thevirtual pointer 2″ at the position of the lower-left corner (−X1, −Y1)of the real screen region 51.

Such control of the orientation of the real pointer 2′ is realized bythe MPU 35 of the control device 40 determining the orientation of thereal pointer 2′ based on the first coordinate values (X(t), Y(t)), andthe coordinate values (−X1, −Y1) of the lower-left corner of the realscreen region 51. Similarly, in the case that the virtual pointer 2″ ispositioned on the other corners 52 d, 52 e, and 52 g, the MPU 35 of thecontrol device 40 should determine the orientation of the real pointer2′ based on the first coordinate values, and the coordinate values (X1,−Y1), (X1, Y1), and (−X1, Y1) of the corners of the real screen region51, respectively.

According to the control of the orientation of the real pointer 2′ suchas shown in FIG. 21, recognition of the direction where the virtualpointer 2″ exists in the case that the virtual pointer 2″ is positionedon the corner regions 52 b, 52 d, 52 e, and 52 g can further befacilitated.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.The fourth embodiment differs from the above embodiments in that thecoordinate values and orientation of the real pointer 2′ to be displayedon the edge portion of the real screen region 51 are controlled with thecenter coordinates (origin (0, 0)) of the real screen region 51 as areference. Accordingly, description will be made focusing on this point.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a control deviceaccording to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating anexample of the movement of the virtual pointer and real pointer in thecase that the processing shown in FIG. 22 has been executed.

With regard to the processing other than ST705 through ST708, the sameprocessing as the processing shown in the above FIG. 12 is executed.

As shown in FIG. 22, upon receiving the movable information of thepointer 2 (YES in ST701), the MPU 35 of the control device 40 generatesfirst coordinate values based on the information of velocity values(ST702), and determines whether or not the first coordinate values arecoordinate values within the virtual screen region 52 (ST703).

In the case that the first coordinate values are coordinate valueswithin the virtual screen region 52 (YES in ST703), the MPU 35calculates the expression of a straight line connecting the firstcoordinate values and the center coordinates (origin (0, 0)) of the realscreen region 51 (ST705).

Next, the MPU 35 generates second coordinate values (X′(t), Y′(t)) byobtaining an intersection between the calculated straight line and theedge portion 53 of the real screen region 51 (ST706). Note that twointersections are calculated as an intersection between the straightline and the edge portion 53 of the real screen region 51, but of thetwo intersections, the MPU 35 should employ an intersection closer tothe first coordinate values as second coordinate values.

Upon the second coordinate values being generated, the MPU 35 determinesthe orientation of the real pointer 2′ from the inclination of thestraight line (ST707). In this case, the orientation of the real pointer2′ is determined so as to face the inclination direction of the straightline.

Upon the orientation of the real pointer 2′ being determined, the MPU 35controls the display so as to display the real pointer 2′ on theposition according to the generated second coordinate values (X′(t),Y′(t)) on the real screen region 51 with the determined orientation(ST708).

According to the processing shown in FIG. 22, the movement andorientation of the real pointer 2′ as to the movement of the virtualpointer 2″ are such as shown in FIG. 23.

With the fourth embodiment as well, similar to the third embodiment, theorientation of the real pointer 2′ to be displayed on the edge portion53 of the real screen region 51 is changed according to the position ofthe virtual pointer 2″, and accordingly, the user can readily recognizethe direction where the virtual pointer 2″ exists. Thus, the operabilityof the pointer 2 can be improved.

Fifth Embodiment

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.With the fifth embodiment, the shape of the real pointer 2′ in the casethat the virtual pointer 2″ does not exist within the virtual screenregion 52, and the shape of the real pointer 2′ in the case that thevirtual pointer 2″ exists within the virtual screen region 52 differ.Accordingly, description will be made focusing on this point.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a real pointer to be displayed withinthe real screen region by a control device according to the fifthembodiment. As shown in FIG. 24, the real pointer 2′ to be displayedwithin the real screen region 51 in the case that the virtual pointer 2″does not exist within the virtual screen region 52 (in the case that thefirst coordinate values are included in the real screen region 51) has around shape.

On the other hand, in the case that the virtual pointer 2″ exists withinthe virtual screen region 52 (in the case that the first coordinatevalues are included in the virtual screen region 52), the real pointer2′ to be displayed on the edge portion 53 of the real screen region 51does not have a simple round shape but a shape wherein an arrow portionis added to the body of a round shape.

The real pointer 2′ in the case that the virtual pointer 2″ does notexist within the virtual screen region 52 has a simple round shape, butwith this round-shaped real pointer 2′, the direction of the virtualpointer 2″ is not readily pointed. Therefore, in the case that thevirtual pointer 2″ exists within the virtual screen region 52, the shapeof the real pointer 2′ is changed so as to point the direction of thevirtual pointer 2″.

Thus, the user can readily recognize the direction where the virtualpointer 2″ exists. Also, with the fifth embodiment, in the case that thevirtual pointer 2″ exists within the virtual screen region 52, the shapeof the real pointer 2′ is changed, and accordingly, the user can readilyrecognize that the operation of the pointer 2 has been switched to theoperation within the virtual screen region 52.

The orientation of the real pointer 2′ may be determined by the methoddescribed in the above third embodiment, or may be determined by themethod described in the above fourth embodiment.

With the fifth embodiment, the virtual pointer 2′ in the case that thevirtual pointer 2″ exists within the virtual screen region 52 has ashape wherein an arrow portion is added to the body of a round shape.However, the shape of the real pointer 2′ is not restricted to this.Typically, as long as a shape whereby the direction of the virtualpointer 2″ can be pointed, any kind of shape may be employed. Forexample, such as described in the above embodiments, the real pointer 2′may be changed to a arrow-feather shaped pointer 2, or may be changed toanimation expressions or the like.

Sixth Embodiment

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described.With the sixth embodiment, in the case that the virtual pointer 2″ existwithin the virtual screen region 52, not only the real pointer 2′ pointsthe direction of the virtual pointer 2″ but also the shape of the realpointer 2′ is changed according to distance between the real pointer 2′and the virtual pointer 2″. Accordingly, description will be madefocusing on this point. Note that, with the sixth embodiment,description will be made focusing on a point different from the abovethird embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a control deviceaccording to the sixth embodiment, and FIG. 26 is a diagram illustratingan example of the movement of the virtual pointer and real pointer inthe case that the processing shown in FIG. 25 has been executed.

With regard to the processing other than ST808 through ST810, the sameprocessing as the processing shown in the above FIG. 19 is executed.

As shown in FIG. 25, upon determining the orientation of the realpointer 2′ according to in which position of the eight divided regions52 a through 52 h the first coordinate values are located in ST807, theMPU 35 of the control device 40 obtains distance between the firstcoordinate values and the second coordinate values (ST808).

Next, the MPU 35 determines the compressing degree of the real pointer2′ according to the distance between the first coordinate values and thesecond coordinate values (ST809). In this case, determination is made sothat the greater the distance between the first coordinate values andthe second coordinate values is, the greater the compressing degree ofthe real pointer 2′ is.

Next, the MPU 35 controls the display so as to display the real pointer2′ on the position according to the second coordinate values on the edgeportion 53 of the real screen region 51 with the orientation of the realpointer 2′ determined in ST807, and the compressing degree of the realpointer 2′ determined in ST809 (ST810).

According to the processing shown in FIG. 25, the movement, orientation,and compressing degree of the real pointer 2′ as to the movement of thevirtual pointer 2″ are such as shown in FIG. 26. Note that FIG. 26illustrates a case where the real pointer 2′ is displayed on theupper-side edge portion 53 of the real screen region 51.

With the sixth embodiment, the real pointer 2′ is displayed with acompressed shape according to the distance between the real pointer 2′and the virtual pointer 2″, and accordingly, the user can readilyrecognize not only the direction where the virtual pointer 2″ exists butalso the distance between the real pointer 2′ and the virtual pointer2″.

Various Modifications of Sixth Embodiment

FIGS. 27A and 27B, and FIGS. 28A through 28C are diagrams illustrating amodification of the sixth embodiment. FIG. 27A illustrates a case wherethe real pointer 2′ to be displayed on the edge portion 53 of the realscreen region 51 is displayed with three-dimensional animationexpressions. Animation expressions will be made so that as the distancebetween the real pointer 2′ and the virtual pointer 2″ increases, thecompressing degree of the three-dimensional real pointer 2′ increases.FIG. 27B illustrates a case where as the distance between the realpointer 2′ and the virtual pointer 2″ increases, the rotation speed ofthe real pointer 2′ three-dimensionally displayed increases.

FIG. 28A illustrates a case where as the distance between the realpointer 2′ and the virtual pointer 2″ increases, the size of theround-shaped real pointer 2′ decreases. FIG. 28B illustrates a casewhere as the distance between the real pointer 2′ and the virtualpointer 2″ increases, the pie chart indication meter of the round-shapedreal pointer 2′ increases. FIG. 28C illustrates a case where as thedistance between the real pointer 2′ and the virtual pointer 2″increases, the number displayed into the round-shaped real pointer 2′increases.

FIGS. 29A and 29B are diagrams illustrating an example in a case where,with the center coordinates (origin (0, 0)) of the real screen region 51as a reference, the shape of the real pointer is changed according tothe distance between the real pointer and the virtual pointer. FIG. 29Aillustrates a case where the distance between the real pointer 2′ andthe virtual pointer 2″ increases, the compressing degree of thearrow-feather shaped real pointer 2′ increases. FIG. 29B illustrates acase where the distance between the real pointer 2′ and the virtualpointer 2″ increases, the size of the round-shaped real pointer 2′decreases.

In the case such as shown in FIGS. 29A and 29B as well, the user can beallowed to recognize the direction where the virtual pointer 2″ exists,and the distance between the real pointer 2′ and the virtual pointer 2″.

With description in FIGS. 25 through 29B, description has been maderegarding a case where the user is allowed to recognize sense ofdistance by change in the compressing degree of the real pointer 2′,change in animation expressions, change in rotation speed, change insize, change in pie chart indication meter expressions, change innumerals, and the like. However, the method for allowing the user torecognize the distance between the real pointer 2′ and the virtualpointer 2″ is not restricted to this. Typically, the shape of the realpointer 2′ should be changed so as to allow the user to recognize thedistance between the real pointer 2′ and the virtual pointer 2″. Otherexamples for allowing the user to recognize the distance between thereal pointer 2′ and the virtual pointer 2″ include change in the colorof the real pointer 2′, change in color density, change in blinkingspeed, and the like. Alternatively, a combination of at least two of theabove examples may be employed.

Seventh Embodiment

Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.The seventh embodiment differs from the above embodiments in that in thecase that the virtual pointer 2″ exists within the virtual screen region52, an indicator 61 is displayed instead of the real pointer 2′.Accordingly, description will be made focusing on this point.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an indicator to be displayed on thereal screen region in the case that the virtual pointer exists withinthe real screen region. As shown in FIG. 30, the virtual screen region52 is divided into eight regions 52 a through 52 h of the left, lowerleft, lower, lower right, right, upper right, upper, and upper left ofthe real screen region.

In the case that the virtual pointer 2″ exists within the virtual screenregion 52, the real pointer 2′ is eliminated, and the indicator 61 isdisplayed instead of the real pointer 2′.

For example, in the case that the virtual pointer 2″ exists within theleft-side virtual screen region 52 a of the real screen region 51, theindicator 61 is displayed so as to point the left side near the centerof the edge portion 53 of the real screen region 51. Similarly, in thecase that the virtual pointer 2″ exists within the lower region 52 c,right region 52 e, and upper region 52 g of the real screen region 51,the indicator 61 is displayed so as to point downward near the center ofthe lower edge portion 53 of the real screen region 51, so as to pointthe right near the center of the right edge portion 53, and so as topoint upward near the center of the upper edge portion 53, respectively.

In the case that the virtual pointer 2″ exists within the lower-leftvirtual screen region 52 b of the real screen region 51, the indicator61 is displayed so as to point a lower-left direction near thelower-left corner (−X1, −Y1) of the real screen region 51. Similarly, inthe case that the virtual pointer 2″ exists within the lower-rightregion 52 d, upper-right region 52 f, and upper-left region 52 h of thereal screen region 51, the indicator 61 is displayed so as to pointlower right near the lower-right corner (X1, −Y1), so as to point upperright near the upper-right corner (X1, Y1), and so as to point upperleft near the upper-left corner (−X1, Y1), respectively.

Also, in the case that the virtual pointer 2″ exists within the fourvertical and horizontal regions 52 a, 52 c, 52 e, and 52 g, as distancebetween the edge portion 53 of the real screen region 51, and thevirtual pointer 2″ increases, the number of the indicators 61 to bedisplayed increases.

In the case that the virtual pointer 2″ exists within the four cornerregions 52 b, 52 d, 52 f, and 52 h, as distance between the corners ofthe real screen region 51, and the virtual pointer 2″ increases, thenumber of the indicators 61 to be displayed increases.

With regard to the number of the indicators 61, for example, the minimumnumber in the case that the distance is short is set to 1, and themaximum number in the case that the distance is long is set to 3. Notethat the number of the indicators 61 is not restricted to these. Forexample, the number of the indicators 61 may be changed between 1through 5, or between 1 through 10. The number of the indicators 61 maybe changed as appropriate.

According to the indicators 61, the user can readily recognize thedirection where the virtual pointer 2″ exists, and the distance betweenthe edge portion 53 (or corners) of the real screen region 51 and thevirtual pointer 2″.

In FIG. 30, a case has been described wherein the shape of the indicatoris a triangle. However, the shape of the indicator is not restricted tothis. Typically, as long as a shape whereby a predetermined directioncan be pointed, any kind of shape may be employed. For example, theindicator 61 may be an animation or the like.

In FIG. 30, the method for allowing the user to recognize sense ofdistance as to the virtual pointer 2″ by change in the number of theindicators 61 has been described. However, the method for allowing theuser to recognize sense of distance is not restricted to this. Forexample, change in the size of the indicator 61, change in color, changein animation expressions, or the like may be employed.

Eighth Embodiment

Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described.The eighth embodiment differs from the above embodiments in that a smallscreen equivalent to the whole screen region 50 is displayed within thereal screen region 51. Accordingly, description will be made focusing onthis point.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a small screen to be displayed withinthe real screen region 51. As shown in FIG. 31, a small screen 70equivalent to the whole screen region 50 is displayed within the realscreen region 51. The small screen 70 is displayed, for example, withinthe upper-right real screen region 51. The position where the smallscreen 70 is displayed may be any position as long as the displayposition does not prevent the user from comfortably viewing the screen3.

Typically, the small screen 70 is displayed in the case that the virtualpointer 2″ exists within the virtual screen region 52, and is notdisplayed in the case that the virtual pointer 2″ is not displayedwithin the virtual screen region 52. However, the display timing for thesmall screen 70 is not restricted to this, and accordingly, the smallscreen 70 may be displayed within the real screen region 51 all thetime.

The small screen 70 includes a first region 71 equivalent to the realscreen region 51, and a second region 72 equivalent to the virtualscreen region 52. A first pointer 73 indicating the position of the realpointer 2′ within the real screen region 51 is displayed within thefirst region 71. A second pointer 74 indicating the position of thevirtual pointer 2″ within the virtual screen region 52 is displayedwithin the second region 72.

The first point 73 and the second point 74 have, for example, a roundshape, but are not restricted to this. For example, the first point 73and the second point 74 may have the same shapes as the real pointer 2′and the virtual pointer 2″, respectively.

The first point 73 is moved and displayed according to the movement ofthe real pointer 2′. Similarly, the second point 74 is moved anddisplayed according to the movement of the virtual pointer 2″. Thus, theuser can readily recognize the position of the virtual pointer 2″ byviewing the small screen 70.

FIG. 31 illustrates a case where in the event that the virtual pointer2″ exists within the virtual screen region 52, the real pointer 2′ isdisplayed, but in the case that the virtual pointer 2″ does not exist,the real pointer 2′ does not have to be displayed within the real screenregion 51.

Ninth Embodiment

With a ninth embodiment and thereafter, description will be maderegarding a case where a selection operating region is set within thevirtual screen region 52.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating selection operating regions that acontrol device according to the ninth embodiment stores in a mannercorrelated with the virtual screen region. FIG. 33 is a flowchartillustrating the operation of the control device according to the ninthembodiment. As shown in FIG. 32, the virtual screen region 52 is dividedinto four trapezoidal regions, and these four regions are correlatedwith four selection operating regions 54 a, 54 b, 54 c, and 54 d. Thecontrol device 40 stores the four selection operation regions in the ROM37, RAM 36, or other memory. FIG. 32 illustrates a case where theselection operating regions 54 a, 54 b, 54 c, and 54 d are trapezoids,but the selection operating regions may be rectangles, and accordingly,the shapes of the selection operating region are not restricted to aparticular shape.

The selection operating region 54 a positioned on the left side of thereal screen region 51 is, for example, an operating region for changingchannels up such as with a television broadcast or the like. Theselection operating region 54 c positioned on the right side of the realscreen region 51 is an operating region for changing channels down suchas a television broadcast or the like.

Also, the selection operating region 54 d positioned on the upper sideof the real screen region 51 is an operating region for turning volumeup of the sound volume output. The selection operating region 54 bpositioned on the lower side of the real screen region 51 is anoperating region for turning volume down of sound volume output.

With regard to the processing other than ST907 through ST909 in FIG. 33,the same processing as the processing shown in FIG. 12 is executed.

Upon receiving the movable information of the pointer 2 (YES in ST901),the MPU 35 of the control device 40 generates first coordinate valuesbased on the information of velocity values (ST902), and determineswhether or not the first coordinate values are coordinate values withinthe virtual screen region 52 (ST903). In the case that the firstcoordinate values are coordinate values within the virtual screen region52 (YES in ST903), the MPU 35 generates second coordinate values basedon the first coordinate values (ST905), and displays the real pointer 2′on the position according to the second coordinate values (ST906).

Next, the MPU 35 of the control device 40 determines which region of thefour selection operating regions 54 a, 54 b, 54 c, and 54 d the firstcoordinate values belong to (ST907).

Next, the MPU 35 executes processing corresponding to the determinedselection operating region (ST908). For example, in the case that thefirst coordinate values are positioned within the selection operatingregion 54 a positioned on the left side of the real screen region 51,the MPU 35 executes changing channels up processing for televisionbroadcasts. Also, for example, in the case that the first coordinatevalues are positioned within the selection operating region 54 dpositioned on the upper side of the real screen region 51, the MPU 35executes turning volume up processing for sound volume output.

Upon executing the processing corresponding to the determined selectionoperating region, the MPU 35 displays an image 59 indicating that theprocessing thereof is being executed, within the real screen region 51(ST909).

According to the processing shown in FIG. 33, the user can intuitivelyswitch the channel such as a television broadcast, or adjust soundvolume output with a sense of operating the virtual pointer 2″ withinthe virtual screen region 52 (within the determined selection operatingregion).

Also, when the processing corresponding to the determined selectionoperating region is being executed, the image 59 indicating that theprocessing is being executed is displayed within the real screen region51, and accordingly, the user can readily recognize that the processingis being executed.

Here, in the case that the user releases the thumb from above the button11 of the input device, the first coordinate values are returned to theinside of the real screen region 51 (NO in ST901→ST910→YES inST911→ST912→ST904). In the case that the first coordinate values areincluded in the real screen region 51, the processing corresponding tothe determined selection operating region is not executed (NO in ST903,NO in ST911).

Accordingly, the processing corresponding to the determined selectionoperating region can be finished by the user releasing from above thebutton 11. For example, let us say that television broadcast channelswitching processing has been executed by the user operating the virtualpointer 2″ within the selection operating region 54 a. In this case,when the channel is switched to an arbitrary channel, the user releasesthe thumb from the button 11, and thus, the first coordinate values aremoved to the inside of the real screen region 51, and accordingly,channel switching can be finished. Thus, the user can finish theprocessing corresponding to the determined selection operating region bysimple finger operations.

Various Modifications of Ninth Embodiment

In the case that the virtual pointer 2″ exists within a selectionoperating region (within the virtual screen region 52), the shape of thereal pointer 2′ may be changed according to the distance between thefirst coordinate values and the second coordinate values.

In the case that the virtual pointer 2″ exists within a selectionoperating region, an arrangement may be made wherein the MPU 35 of thecontrol device 40 awaits transmission of a determination command fromthe input device 1, and then executes the processing corresponding tothe selection operating region thereof.

In FIGS. 32 and 33, a case has been described wherein in the event thatthe virtual pointer 2″ exists within a selection operating region(within the virtual screen region 52), the real pointer 2′ is displayedwithin the real screen region 51. However, even in the event that thevirtual pointer 2″ exists within a selection operating region (withinthe virtual screen region 52), when the processing corresponding to thedetermined selection operating region is being executed, the realpointer 2′ does not have to be displayed within the real screen region51.

Also, description has been made wherein in the case that the processingcorresponding to the determined selection operating region is beingexecuted, the image 59 indicating that the processing thereof is beingexecuted is displayed, but the image 59 does not have to be displayed.

In the case that the virtual pointer 2″ exists, the MPU 35 may variablycontrol the switching speed of the processing corresponding to thedetermined selection operating region according to the distance betweenthe first coordinate values and the second coordinate values. In thiscase, for example, the MPU 35 should obtain the distance between thefirst coordinate values and the second coordinate values after ST907 inFIG. 33, and in ST908 execute the processing corresponding to thedetermined selection operating region at the switching speed accordingto the obtained distance. The distance between the first coordinatevalues and the second coordinate values may be calculated with theorigin (0, 0) of the real screen region 51 as a reference (see FIGS. 22and 23).

In this case, control is performed so that as the distance between thefirst coordinate values and the second coordinate values increases, theswitching speed increases. For example, as the above distance increases,channel switching speed, or volume switching speed increases. Thus, theuser can arbitrarily adjust the switching speed by intuitive operations.In the case that the switching speed is variably controlled, controldoes not have to be performed based on the first coordinate values andthe second coordinate values.

FIG. 34 is a diagram for describing another mode in the case that theswitching speed is set variably. With the example shown in FIG. 34, thevirtual screen region 52 is set to the left side and right side of thereal screen region 51. The virtual screen region 52 on the left side ofthe real screen region 51 is divided into four regions, and these fourregions are correlated with four selection operating regions 55 a, 55 b,55 c, and 55 d. Similarly, the virtual screen region 52 on the rightside of the real screen region 51 is divided into four regions, andthese four regions are correlated with four selection operating regions55 e, 55 f, 55 g, and 55 h. That is to say, with the example in FIG. 34,the virtual screen region 52 is divided into the eight selectionoperating regions.

The selection operating regions 55 a, 55 b, 55 c, and 55 d on the leftside of the real screen region 51 are operating regions equivalent to X2fast rewind, X4 fast rewind, X8 fast rewind, and x16 fast rewind,respectively.

On the other hand, the selection operating regions 55 e, 55 f, 55 g, and55 h on the right side of the real screen region 51 are operatingregions equivalent to X2 fast forward, X4 fast forward, X8 fast forward,and X16 fast forward, respectively.

In the case that the first coordinate values are included in the virtualscreen region 52, the MPU 35 should determine, of the eight selectionoperating regions 55 a through 55 h, in which selection operating regionthe first coordinate values are positioned, and according to thedetermination result, should execute predetermined speed rewind, orforward processing. Thus, the switching speed is variably controlled. Insuch a case as well, the user can arbitrarily adjust the switching speedby intuitive operations.

FIG. 34 illustrates a case where in the event that the virtual pointer2″ exists within the virtual screen region 52, the real pointer 2′ isnot displayed within the real screen region 51. Also, FIG. 34illustrates a case where, when rewind or forward processing is beingexecuted, the image 59 according to the processing thereof is displayedbelow within the real screen region 51.

Here, in the case of FIG. 34, the selection operating regions aredivided and set beforehand so as to change the switching speed, andaccordingly, the MPU 35 does not have to obtain the distance between thefirst coordinate values and the second coordinate values. As describedabove, the MPU 35 should determine in which selection operating regionthe first coordinate values are positioned, and according to thedetermination result, should execute predetermined speed rewind, orforward processing. Thus, the switching speed is variably controlled.

In FIGS. 32 through 34, description has been made assuming that theselection operating regions are equivalent to up/down of channels,up/down of sound volume, and fast forward/rewind of a moving image.However, the selection operating regions are not restricted to these.For example, the selection operating regions may be an operating regionfor playback/stop of a moving image, or may be frame forward/framerewind of still images, or may be an operating region for chaptersetting of a moving image. Alternatively, a moving image itself or astill image itself may be set to the selection operating regions.

FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating the whole screen region in the casethat a moving image is set to the selection operating regions. As shownin FIG. 35, a moving image A is set to the selection operating region 54a positioned on the left side of the real screen region 51. Similarly, amoving image B, a moving image C, and a moving image D are set to theselection operating region 54 b on the lower side of the real screenregion 51, the selection operating region 54 c on the right side, andthe selection operating region 54 d on the upper side, respectively.

In the case that the first coordinate values are included in a selectionoperating region (within the virtual screen region 52), the MPU 35 ofthe control device 40 determines in which selection operating region ofthe four selection operating regions 54 a through 54 d the firstcoordinate values are positioned. Subsequently, the MPU 35 should playthe moving image set to the determined selection operating region. Themoving image may be displayed on the entirety of the real screen region51, or may be displayed on a part of the real screen region 51.

Thus, the user can select an arbitrary moving image out of multiplemoving images with a sense of operating the virtual pointer 2″ withinthe virtual screen region 52 (selection operating region).

FIG. 35 illustrates a case where, in the event that the virtual pointer2″ exists within the virtual screen region 52 (selection operatingregion), the real pointer 2′ is not displayed, but the real pointer 2′may be displayed.

Tenth Embodiment

Next, a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

With the above ninth embodiment, a case has been described wherein theselection operating regions are set to only the virtual screen region52, and no selection operating region is set to the real screen region51. On the other hand, with the tenth embodiment, the selectionoperating regions are set to the two regions of the virtual screenregion 52 and the real screen region 51. Accordingly, description willbe made focusing on this point.

FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating selection operating regions that acontrol device according to the tenth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 36,selection operating regions 65, 66, 67, and 68 are set to two of thevirtual screen region 52 and the real screen region 51.

As shown in FIG. 36, the four selection operating regions 65, 66, 67,and 68 are set to the four corners of the upper-left, lower-left,lower-right, and upper-right of the whole screen region 50,respectively.

The selection operating region 65 set to the corner at the upper left ofthe whole screen region 50 is taken as a changing channels up operatingregion for television broadcasts, the selection operating region 66 setto the corner at the lower left of the whole screen region 50 is takenas a changing channels down operating region.

Also, the selection operating region 67 set to the corner at the upperright of the whole screen region 50 is taken as a turning volume upoperating region for sound volume output, the selection operating region68 set to the corner at the lower right of the whole screen region 50 istaken as a turning volume down operating region. A selection operationto be set to the selection operating regions may be changed asappropriate.

The four selection operating regions 65, 66, 67, and 68 include firstselection operating regions 65 a, 66 a, 67 a, and 68 a set in thevirtual screen region 52, and second selection operating regions 65 b,66 b, 67 b, and 68 b set in the real screen region 51, respectively.

An icon 4 corresponding to each of the second selection operatingregions is displayed within the second selection operating regions 65 b,66 b, 67 b, and 68 b set in the real screen region 51. The icons 4 maybe displayed all the time, or may be displayed when the real pointer 2′enters the second selection operating regions 65 b, 66 b, 67 b, and 68b. Alternatively, the icons 4 may be displayed when the virtual pointer2″ enters the first selection operating regions 65 a, 66 a, 67 a, and 68a. In the case of a mode wherein the icons 4 are not displayed all thetime, the visibility of the real screen region 51 can be improved.

The MPU 35 of the control device 40 determines whether or not the firstcoordinate values are positioned in the selection operating regions 65,66, 67, and 68, and in the case that the first coordinate values arepositioned in one of the selection operating regions, should execute theprocessing corresponding to the selection operating region thereof.

As shown in FIG. 36, in the case that the selection operating regionsare set to the two regions of the virtual screen region 52 and the realscreen region 51 as well, the same advantage as the ninth embodiment canbe obtained. That is to say, the user can switch the channel for atelevision broadcast or the like, or adjust sound volume output byintuitive operations of the pointer 2.

FIG. 36 illustrates a case where in the event that the virtual pointer2″ exists within the vertical screen region 52, the real pointer 2′ isdisplayed in the real screen region 51, but the real pointer 2′ does nothave to be displayed. Also, FIG. 36 illustrates a case where when theprocessing corresponding to the determined selection operating region isbeing executed, the image 59 corresponding to the processing thereof isdisplayed in the real screen region 51, but the image 59 does not haveto be displayed.

Various Modifications

The embodiments according to the present invention are not restricted tothe above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications areavailable.

An embodiment of the present invention may be applied to, for example, ahandheld device including a display unit. In this case, the user movesthe pointer 2 displayed on the display unit by moving the main unit ofthe handheld device. Examples of the handheld device include PDAs(Personal Digital Assistants), cellular phones, portable music players,and digital cameras.

With the above-mentioned embodiments, a mode has been illustratedwherein the input device 1 wirelessly transmits the input information tothe control device 40, but the input information may be transmitted bycable.

With the above-mentioned embodiment, the biaxial acceleration sensorunit, and biaxial angular velocity sensor unit have been described.However, regardless of this, the input device 1 may include both of anorthogonal triaxial acceleration sensor and an orthogonal triaxialangular velocity sensor, or may include just one of theses, by which theprocessing illustrated in the above-mentioned embodiments are realized.Alternatively, a mode can be conceived wherein the input device 1includes a single-axis acceleration sensor or a single-axis angularvelocity sensor. In the case that a single-axis acceleration sensor or asingle-axis angular velocity sensor is provided, typically a screen canbe conceived wherein a plurality of GUI serving as an pointing object ofthe pointer 2 to be displayed on the screen 3 are arrayed on a singleaxis.

Alternatively, the input device 1 may include a geomagnetic sensor orimage sensor instead of the acceleration sensor and angular velocitysensor.

The detection axes of the angular velocity sensor unit 15 and theacceleration sensor unit 16, of the sensor unit 17 do not have to beorthogonal mutually, as with the X′ axis and Y′ axis described above. Inthis case, each acceleration projected in the mutually orthogonal axialdirection is obtained by a computation using a trigonometric function.Also, similarly, each acceleration around the mutually orthogonal axesmay be obtained by a computation employing a trigonometric function.

With regard to the sensor unit 17 described in the above-mentionedembodiments, a mode has been described wherein the detection axes of theX′ axis and the Y′ axis of the angular velocity sensor unit 15 arematched with the detection axes of the X′ axis and the Y′ axis of theacceleration sensor unit 16, respectively. However, these axes does nothave to be matched. For example, in the case that the angular velocitysensor unit 15 and the acceleration sensor unit 16 will be mounted on asubstrate, the angular velocity sensor unit 15 and the accelerationsensor unit 16 may be mounted on the substrate by being shifted withinthe principal surface of the substrate thereof by a predeterminedrotation angle so that the detection axes of the angular velocity sensorunit 15 and the acceleration sensor unit 16 are not matched. In thiscase, the acceleration and angular velocity of each axis may be obtainedby a computation employing a trigonometric function.

The present application contains subject matter related to thatdisclosed in Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2009-135018 filedin the Japan Patent Office on Jun. 4, 2009, the entire content of whichis hereby incorporated by reference.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1. A control device comprising: a reception unit configured to receivefirst information relating to the movement of a casing, and secondinformation relating to whether to reflect the movement of said casingon the movement of coordinate values; a storage unit configured to storethe whole screen region including a real screen region equivalent to areal screen, and a virtual screen region that is a virtual region set inthe circumference of said real screen region; generating meansconfigured to generate said coordinate values within said whole screenregion based on said first information; switching means configured toswitch a first state in which said coordinate values are movable, and asecond state in which said coordinate values are immovable, based onsaid second information; determining means configured to determine whichof said real screen region or said virtual screen region said coordinatevalues belong to; and coordinate-value control means configured tocontrol, in the case that said coordinate valued belong to said virtualscreen region, and also said first state and said second state areswitched, said coordinate values so as to move said coordinate valueswithin said virtual screen region to the position of predeterminedcoordinate values within said real screen region; wherein said controldevice controls said coordinate values based on said first informationand said second information transmitted from an input device configuredto transmit said first information and said second information.
 2. Thecontrol device according to claim 1, further comprising: display controlmeans configured to control, in the case that said coordinate valuesbelong to said real screen region, the display of said real screen so asto display a pointer on the position of said coordinate values withinsaid real screen region, and to control, in the case that saidcoordinate values belong to said virtual screen region, the display ofsaid real screen so as to display said pointer on a position on the edgeportion of said real screen region according to said coordinate valueswithin said virtual screen region.
 3. The control device according toclaim 2, wherein said coordinate-value control means control saidcoordinate values so as to move said coordinate values within saidvirtual screen region to a position where said pointer within said realscreen region is displayed.
 4. The control device according to claim 2,wherein said coordinate-value control means control said coordinatevalues so as to move said coordinate values within said virtual screenregion to the center of said real screen region.
 5. The control deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein said display control means control, in thecase that said coordinate values belong to said virtual screen region,said display so as to display said pointer on an intersection of saidedge portion of said real screen region, and a straight line connectingthe center of the real screen region, and said coordinate values.
 6. Thecontrol device according to claim 2, wherein said display control meanschange the display mode of a pointer displayed on the edge portion ofsaid real screen region according to the movement of said coordinatevalues within said virtual screen region.
 7. The control deviceaccording to claim 6, wherein said display control means change thedisplay mode of said pointer so that said pointer displayed on the edgeportion of said real screen region indicates the direction of saidcoordinate values within said virtual screen region.
 8. The controldevice according to claim 6, wherein said display control means changethe display mode of said pointer according to distance between saidcoordinate values within said virtual screen region, and said pointerdisplayed on the edge portion of said real screen region.
 9. The controldevice according to claim 1, wherein said reception unit receives adetermination command transmitted from said input device; and whereinsaid coordinate-value control means control, when said coordinate valuesbelong to said virtual screen region, and also said determinationcommand is received, said coordinate values so as to move saidcoordinate values within said virtual screen region to the position ofpredetermined coordinate values within said real screen region.
 10. Thecontrol device according to claim 1, further comprising: display controlmeans configured to display, in the case that said coordinate valuesbelong to said virtual screen region, a small screen including anindication object indicating the position of said coordinate values asto said whole screen region, and indicating said whole screen region, ona predetermined within said real screen region.
 11. The control deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said storage unit stores a selectionoperating object serving as the selection operating object of said inputdevice as a selection operating region by being correlated with aportion or the whole of said virtual screen region, said control devicefurther comprising: processing means configured to execute, in the casethat said coordinate values belong to said selection operating region,processing corresponding to said selection operating object.
 12. Acontrol device comprising: a reception unit configured to receiveinformation relating to the movement of a casing; a storage unitconfigured to store the whole screen region including a real screenregion equivalent to a real screen, and a virtual screen region that isa virtual region set in the circumference of said real screen region;generating means configured to generate coordinate values within saidwhole screen region based on said information; determining meansconfigured to determine which of said real screen region or said virtualscreen region said coordinate values belong to; and coordinate-valuecontrol means configured to control, in the case that said coordinatevalues belong to said virtual screen region, and also a first state forreflecting the movement of said casing on the movement of saidcoordinate values, and a second state for not reflecting thereon areswitched, said coordinate values so as to move said coordinate valueswithin said virtual screen region to the position of predeterminedcoordinate values within said real screen region; wherein said controldevice controls said coordinate values based on said informationtransmitted from an input device including a selecting unit configuredto select said first state and said second state, a transmission unitconfigured to transmit said information, and transmission control meansconfigured to control transmission of said information so as to movesaid coordinate values in said first state, and so as not to move saidcoordinate values in said second state.
 13. An input device comprising:a casing; a detecting unit configured to detect the movement of saidcasing; a selecting unit configured to select a first state forreflecting the movement of said casing on the movement of coordinatevalues, and a second state for not reflecting thereon; a storage unitconfigured to store the whole screen region including a real screenregion equivalent to a real screen, and a virtual screen region that isa virtual region set in the circumference of said real screen region;generating means configured to generate said coordinate values withinsaid whole screen region based on the movement of said casing;generation control means configured to control generation of saidcoordinate values so as to move said coordinate values in said firststate, and so as not to move said coordinate values in said secondstate; determining means configured to determine which of said realscreen region or said virtual screen region said coordinate valuesbelong to; and coordinate-value control means configured to control, inthe case that said coordinate values belong to said virtual screenregion, and also said first state and said second state are switched,said coordinate values so as to move said coordinate values within saidvirtual screen region to the position of predetermined coordinate valueswithin said real screen region.
 14. A control system comprising: aninput device including a casing, a detecting unit configured to detectthe movement of said casing, a selecting unit configured to selectwhether to reflect the movement of said casing on the movement ofcoordinate values, and a transmission unit configured to transmit firstinformation relating to the movement of said casing, and secondinformation relating to whether to reflect the movement of said casingon the movement of said coordinates; and a control device including areception unit configured to receive said first information, and saidsecond information, a storage unit configured to store the whole screenregion including a real screen region equivalent to a real screen, and avirtual screen region that is a virtual region set in the circumferenceof said real screen region, generating means configured to generate saidcoordinate values within said whole screen region based on said firstinformation, switching means configured to switch a first state in whichsaid coordinate values are movable, and a second state in which saidcoordinate values are immovable, based on said second information,determining means configured to determine which of said real screenregion or said virtual screen region said coordinate values belong to,and coordinate-value control means configured to control, in the casethat said coordinate values belong to said virtual screen region, andalso said first state and said second state are switched, saidcoordinate values so as to move said coordinate values within saidvirtual screen region to the position of predetermined coordinate valueswithin said real screen region.
 15. A control system comprising: aninput device including a casing, a detecting unit configured to detectthe movement of said casing, a selecting unit configured to select afirst state for reflecting the movement of said casing on the movementof coordinate values, and a second state for not reflecting thereon, atransmission unit configured to transmit information relating to themovement of said casing, and transmission control means configured tocontrol transmission of said information so as to move said coordinatevalues in said first state, and so as not to move said coordinate valuesin said second state; and a control device including a reception unitconfigured to receive said information, a storage unit configured tostore the whole screen region including a real screen region equivalentto a real screen, and a virtual screen region that is a virtual regionset in the circumference of said real screen region, generating meansconfigured to generate said coordinate values within said whole screenregion based on said information, determining means configured todetermine which of said real screen region or said virtual screen regionsaid coordinate values belong to, and coordinate-value control meansconfigured to control, in the case that said coordinate values belong tosaid virtual screen region, and also said first state and said secondstate are switched, said coordinate values so as to move said coordinatevalues within said virtual screen region to the position ofpredetermined coordinate values within said real screen region.
 16. Ahandheld device comprising: a casing; a display unit provided to saidcasing; a detecting unit configured to detect the movement of saidcasing; a selecting unit configured to select a first state forreflecting the movement of said casing on the movement of coordinatevalues, and a second state for not reflecting the movement of saidcasing on the movement of said coordinate values; a storage unitconfigured to store the whole screen region including a real screenregion equivalent to a real screen to be displayed on said display unit,and a virtual screen region that is a virtual region set in thecircumference of said real screen region; generating means configured togenerate said coordinate values within said whole screen region based onthe movement of said casing; generation control means configured tocontrol generation of said coordinate values so as to move saidcoordinate values in said first state, and so as not to move saidcoordinate value in said second state; determining means configured todetermine which of said real screen region or said virtual screen regionsaid coordinate values belong to; and coordinate-value control meansconfigured to control, in the case that said coordinate values belong tosaid virtual screen region, and also said first state and said secondstate are switched, said coordinate values so as to move said coordinatevalues within said virtual screen region to the position ofpredetermined coordinate values within said real screen region.
 17. Acontrol method comprising the steps of: storing the whole screen regionincluding a real screen region equivalent to a real screen, and avirtual screen region that is a virtual region set in the circumferenceof said real screen region; generating coordinate values within saidwhole screen region based on the movement of a casing; switching a firststate in which said coordinate values are movable, and a second state inwhich said coordinate values are immovable; determining which of saidreal screen region or said virtual screen region said coordinate valuesbelong to; and controlling, in the case that said coordinate valuesbelong to said virtual screen region, and also said first state and saidsecond state are switched, said coordinate values so as to move saidcoordinate values within said virtual screen region to the position ofpredetermined coordinate values within said real screen region.
 18. Acontrol device comprising: a reception unit configured to receive firstinformation relating to the movement of a casing, and second informationrelating to whether to reflect the movement of said casing on themovement of coordinate values; a storage unit configured to store thewhole screen region including a real screen region equivalent to a realscreen, and a virtual screen region that is a virtual region set in thecircumference of said real screen region; a generating unit configuredto generate said coordinate values within said whole screen region basedon said first information; a switching unit configured to switch a firststate in which said coordinate values are movable, and a second state inwhich said coordinate values are immovable, based on said secondinformation; a determining unit configured to determine which of saidreal screen region or said virtual screen region said coordinate valuesbelong to; and a coordinate-value control unit configured to control, inthe case that said coordinate valued belong to said virtual screenregion, and also said first state and said second state are switched,said coordinate values so as to move said coordinate values within saidvirtual screen region to the position of predetermined coordinate valueswithin said real screen region; wherein said control device controlssaid coordinate values based on said first information and said secondinformation transmitted from an input device configured to transmit saidfirst information and said second information.
 19. A control devicecomprising: a reception unit configured to receive information relatingto the movement of a casing; a storage unit configured to store thewhole screen region including a real screen region equivalent to a realscreen, and a virtual screen region that is a virtual region set in thecircumference of said real screen region; a generating unit configuredto generate coordinate values within said whole screen region based onsaid information; a determining unit configured to determine which ofsaid real screen region or said virtual screen region said coordinatevalues belong to; and a coordinate-value control unit configured tocontrol, in the case that said coordinate values belong to said virtualscreen region, and also a first state for reflecting the movement ofsaid casing on the movement of said coordinate values, and a secondstate for not reflecting thereon are switched, said coordinate values soas to move said coordinate values within said virtual screen region tothe position of predetermined coordinate values within said real screenregion; wherein said control device controls said coordinate valuesbased on said information transmitted from an input device including aselecting unit configured to select said first state and said secondstate, a transmission unit configured to transmit said information, anda transmission control unit configured to control transmission of saidinformation so as to move said coordinate values in said first state,and so as not to move said coordinate values in said second state. 20.An input device comprising: a casing; a detecting unit configured todetect the movement of said casing; a selecting unit configured toselect a first state for reflecting the movement of said casing on themovement of coordinate values, and a second state for not reflectingthereon; a storage unit configured to store the whole screen regionincluding a real screen region equivalent to a real screen, and avirtual screen region that is a virtual region set in the circumferenceof said real screen region; a generating unit configured to generatesaid coordinate values within said whole screen region based on themovement of said casing; a generation control unit configured to controlgeneration of said coordinate values so as to move said coordinatevalues in said first state, and so as not to move said coordinate valuesin said second state; a determining unit configured to determine whichof said real screen region or said virtual screen region said coordinatevalues belong to; and a coordinate-value control unit configured tocontrol, in the case that said coordinate values belong to said virtualscreen region, and also said first state and said second state areswitched, said coordinate values so as to move said coordinate valueswithin said virtual screen region to the position of predeterminedcoordinate values within said real screen region.
 21. A control systemcomprising: an input device including a casing, a detecting unitconfigured to detect the movement of said casing, a selecting unitconfigured to select whether to reflect the movement of said casing onthe movement of coordinate values, and a transmission unit configured totransmit first information relating to the movement of said casing, andsecond information relating to whether to reflect the movement of saidcasing on the movement of said coordinates; and a control deviceincluding a reception unit configured to receive said first information,and said second information, a storage unit configured to store thewhole screen region including a real screen region equivalent to a realscreen, and a virtual screen region that is a virtual region set in thecircumference of said real screen region, a generating unit configuredto generate said coordinate values within said whole screen region basedon said first information, a switching unit configured to switch a firststate in which said coordinate values are movable, and a second state inwhich said coordinate values are immovable, based on said secondinformation, a determining unit configured to determine which of saidreal screen region or said virtual screen region said coordinate valuesbelong to, and a coordinate-value control unit configured to control, inthe case that said coordinate values belong to said virtual screenregion, and also said first state and said second state are switched,said coordinate values so as to move said coordinate values within saidvirtual screen region to the position of predetermined coordinate valueswithin said real screen region.
 22. A control system comprising: aninput device including a casing, a detecting unit configured to detectthe movement of said casing, a selecting unit configured to select afirst state for reflecting the movement of said casing on the movementof coordinate values, and a second state for not reflecting thereon, atransmission unit configured to transmit information relating to themovement of said casing, and a transmission control unit configured tocontrol transmission of said information so as to move said coordinatevalues in said first state, and so as not to move said coordinate valuesin said second state; and a control device including a reception unitconfigured to receive said information, a storage unit configured tostore the whole screen region including a real screen region equivalentto a real screen, and a virtual screen region that is a virtual regionset in the circumference of said real screen region, a generating unitconfigured to generate said coordinate values within said whole screenregion based on said information, a determining unit configured todetermine which of said real screen region or said virtual screen regionsaid coordinate values belong to, and a coordinate-value control unitconfigured to control, in the case that said coordinate values belong tosaid virtual screen region, and also said first state and said secondstate are switched, said coordinate values so as to move said coordinatevalues within said virtual screen region to the position ofpredetermined coordinate values within said real screen region.
 23. Ahandheld device comprising: a casing; a display unit provided to saidcasing; a detecting unit configured to detect the movement of saidcasing; a selecting unit configured to select a first state forreflecting the movement of said casing on the movement of coordinatevalues, and a second state for not reflecting the movement of saidcasing on the movement of said coordinate values; a storage unitconfigured to store the whole screen region including a real screenregion equivalent to a real screen to be displayed on said display unit,and a virtual screen region that is a virtual region set in thecircumference of said real screen region; a generating unit configuredto generate said coordinate values within said whole screen region basedon the movement of said casing; a generation control unit configured tocontrol generation of said coordinate values so as to move saidcoordinate values in said first state, and so as not to move saidcoordinate value in said second state; a determining unit configured todetermine which of said real screen region or said virtual screen regionsaid coordinate values belong to; and a coordinate-value control unitconfigured to control, in the case that said coordinate values belong tosaid virtual screen region, and also said first state and said secondstate are switched, said coordinate values so as to move said coordinatevalues within said virtual screen region to the position ofpredetermined coordinate values within said real screen region.